Queen of Sports

NBA World All-Star Classic Details Finalized

October 26th, 2011 | Posted by Leah Hollar in Basketball

Eighteen of the NBA’s all-star players will be leaving the country for a four-continent tour that will include six games and commence on Sunday.

ESPN.com first reported on the ESPN World All-Star Classic last week, but Chris Broussard is now reporting that the details of the tour are finalized and dates are set.

Headlining the tour: Kobe Bryant, Dwight Howard, Dwyane Wade, and Kevin Durant. Another 14 players will be officially announced today, but are expected to include: LeBron James, Chris Bosh, Amare Stoudemire, Blake Griffin, Carmelo Anthony, Chris Paul, Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett, Carlos Boozer, Tyson Chandler, Steve Nash, Kevin Love, Rajon Rondo, and Chris Kaman.

Absent from the roster: MVP Derrick Rose, who opted out because the “scheduling was just too tough.” Rose’s Bulls teammate Joakim Noah may replace him.

The tour will kick off Sunday in Puerto Rico, then the players will head to the 02 Arena in London for two games, a game in Macau, and the final two games will be played in Melbourne, Australia.

Many of the proceeds of the event will go to charity and players will earn salaries up to $1 million.