When the NBA really cares: Special Olympics joins the All Stars Events

Led by Special Olympics athletes from around the world, Cedriek Beerten of Belgium, Jeong-Hun An of Korea, Ioannis Kalaitzis of Greece, Edgardo Davila of Puerto Rico, Chidalu Onwunze of Nigeria and Maria Cecilia Alba of Mexico, Team East (grey jerseys) gave Team West a tough test, showing great skill and teamwork on the court alongside their teammates, NBA Cares Ambassador Jason Collins, NBA legend Detlef Schrempf, NBA Cares Ambassador Ruth Riley and Chicago Sky forward and Special Olympics Global Ambassador Elena Delle Donne.  East Team coaches Isaiah Austin, and Rising Stars Andrew Wiggins and Zach LaVine (Minnesota Timberwolves), ESPN SportsCenter anchor Kevin Negandhi and Special Olympics Global Ambassador Damian Lillard (Portland Trailblazers) were impressed with their team's performance. 

Team West got out to an early lead, up 32-24 at the end of the first half, but Team East quickly picked up speed, to emerge victorious, with a nail biter final score of 58-56. Local Special Olympics New York athlete Felix Veloz scored the first two points of the game.  Special Olympics Puerto Rico was well represented as Edwin "Pancho" Gonzalez made a repeat performance from last year's game, contributing over 20 points for Team West, impressing fans and the pros alike. Team East rallied late in the game and came back from a 12-point deficit with Special Olympics Puerto Rico athlete Edgardo Davila contributing the final basket, putting Team East over the top to win 58-56.

Team West (red jerseys) was coached by Rising Stars Cody Zeller (Charlotte Hornets) and Andre Drummond (Detroit Pistons), Stephen Curry (Golden State Warriors) and Wesley Matthews (Portland Trailblazers) and included last year's fan favorites Jacob Majors of Special Olympics Louisiana and Edwin ''Pancho'' Gonzalez of Special Olympics Puerto Rico.   Abel Mehari of Special Olympics Minnesota, Felix Veloz of Special Olympics New York, Kara Plumbeck of Special Olympics Texas and Keyuana Davis of Special Olympics Florida joined unified teammates NBA legend and Hall of Famer Chris Mullin, NBA legend Dell Curry and WNBA players Tamika Catchings (Indiana Fever) and Tina Charles (New York Liberty).

The NBA Cares Special Olympics Unified Sports^® basketball game took place at Madison Square Garden during NBA All-Star 2015 on Saturday morning, prior to NBA All-Star Practice presented by Sean John at Macy's that day. For the very first time, Special Olympics athletes played at New York's Madison Square Garden - The World's Most Famous Arena.  The Unified Game began with Special Olympics athletes being introduced onto the court and Stephen Curry conducting the ceremonial ball tip.  Following the game, all participants were awarded a celebratory medal and gathered for a team photo on center court.

Saturday's game was a Unified Sports® experience that gave participants and the public a chance to witness the inclusion that occurs when athletes with and without intellectual disabilities get to play together as teammates. Nearly a million people worldwide take part in Special Olympics Unified Sports competitions, helping to break down stereotypes about people with intellectual disabilities.