Los Angeles Rams rookie wide receiver Puka Nacua not only made history during his first NFL campaign, he made quite a name for himself in the sports world. So much so that he was asked to compete in the Celebrity Game at NBA All-Star Weekend, where he again made a name for himself. NFL players are often asked to take part in the celebrity game, and it gives them a chance to show off a different kind of athleticism.
Nacua was one of the stars for Team Shannon Sharpe, finishing with 16 points and helping NFL superstar Micah Parsons lead the way to a victory over Team Stephen A. Smith. Parsons was the dominant figure with 37 points and 16 rebounds, earning himself game MVP honors, but Nacua’s contributions were apparent.
Four of Nacua’s 16 points came from two highlight reel dunks on breakaways. One came early in the game with Team Shannon trying to dig out of an early hole, and the second came as a dagger to Team Stephen A. in the final minutes:
PUKA THROWIN’ IT DOWN!!!
📺 @NBA Celeb Game on ESPN pic.twitter.com/RchQbfsyuG
— Los Angeles Rams (@RamsNFL) February 17, 2024
TAKIN’ FLIGHT! ✈️
📺@NBA Celeb Game on ESPN
— Los Angeles Rams (@RamsNFL) February 17, 2024
The Celebrity Game is always a fun part of All-Star Weekend, as it gives fans a chance to see some of their favorite non-basketball stars play in a semi-competitive environment. And with that format, certain people are always going to show themselves as elite athletes, and that’s exactly what Nacua did with his highlights. It was a perfect complement to Parsons’ dominance.
Nacua has gone from BYU wideout to fifth-round NFL draft pick all the way to the NBA All-Star Celebrity Game in less than a year, another testament to his meteoric rise thanks to a historic rookie campaign that saw him break records and earn All-Pro Second Team honors.
Puka Nacua finishes second in Offensive Rookie of the Year voting
All of Nacua’s records were unable to land him the NFL’s Offensive Rookie of the Year award, as he finished second behind the elite C.J. Stroud of the Houston Texans. Stroud undoubtedly deserved the award after a historic rookie season in his own right. He led the Texans to a shocking postseason berth and singlehandedly moved Houston ahead several years in their rebuild.
