A charity exhibition basketball game featuring former Kentucky and Duke players is scheduled for August at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, organizers announced Wednesday. The event will include former college stars Christian Laettner and Anthony Davis as team captains. Laettner led Duke to national championships in 1991 and 1992. Davis led Kentucky to the 2012 national championship.
Team Duke will be coached by Mike Krzyzewski and is expected to include Christian Laettner, Grant Hill, J.J. Redick, Shane Battier, and Jay Williams. Team Kentucky will be coached by Rick Pitino and is expected to include Anthony Davis, John Wall, DeMarcus Cousins, Tayshaun Prince, and Tony Delk.
Organizers said the game will benefit NIL education initiatives and Duke Children’s Hospital, with proceeds from the pay-per-view broadcast split between the Bluegrass & Brotherhood NIL Fund and the hospital. The game will use modified rules: four 8-minute quarters with a running clock, a 4-point line, and eligibility limited to players 35 or older or at least 10 years removed from college. Each team is allowed one “legacy pick” outside those parameters. Davis will be Kentucky’s legacy selection.
Tickets go on pre-sale Monday for boosters and season ticket holders, with public sales beginning Wednesday. The broadcast will be available via pay-per-view for $29.99 through a streaming partner to be announced. The losing alumni base has pledged to donate $1 million to the winning team’s affiliated NIL collective as part of the event.
