Justin Bieber joined the fun for the 2014 BET Experience Sprite sponsored Celebrity Basketball Game at L.A. Live on the eve of the BET awards, with pals Chris Brown, Tyga, Floyd Mayweather, Terrell Owens, Snoop Dog, Soulja Boy, The Game and more on Saturday.
Justin Bieber was a surprise turn up at the 2014 BET Experience Sprite sponsored Celebrity Basketball Game at L.A. Live on the BET awards eve.
He joined friends Chris Brown, Tyga, Floyd Mayweather, Terrell Owens, Snoop Dog, Soulja Boy, The Game, Jay Ellis and many more.
The 20-year-old “Baby” singer, who is known for his love of basketball, looked delighted to be on court and was an enthusiastic player — if not the tallest.
The game was spirited and hectic with a intermission that featured rappers and impromptu dancing from the players, especially Brown and Snoop.
Before the first half, Bieber’s team (Lime) was losing by about 10 points. By the end of the game, the margin was reduced as Team Lemon won 69 to Team Lime’s 67.
Some commentators were surprised at Bieber’s presence at the African-African event, one of many over the weekend which culminates in the BET awards at L.A.’s Staples Center on Sunday. Chris Rock is hosting and artists performing at the awards include Usher, Jennifer Hudson, John Legend and more.
In the wake of two controversial videos leaking earlier this month showing Bieber using the N-word as a child/young teen, some anticipated — and perhaps willed — an exiling of the singer by the black community.
However, that did not occur as many in the community stated that Justin’s age at the time the videos were shot, was a crucial context in relation to his immature use of racially insensitive language.
In addition, the observable reality that Bieber is not a racist in how he lives his life and those he spends his time with as a young adult, is self-evident.
Notably, BET and a number of African-American outlets gave positive coverage to Bieber’s presence at the basketball game
@justinbieber at the @BETExperience #BETXCelebBball game!!!! pic.twitter.com/TARUmkOkGy
— #106andPark (@106andpark) June 28, 2014
At the height of the storm, many of Bieber’s pals spoke up in defense of the singer – notably his mentor, Usher . Some of these also played at the game and included Mayweather, Soulja Boy and Brown.
For his part, Bieber seemed grateful to be invited, later posting photos of a joke slam dunk, a shout-out to Brown and a tweet of thanks to BET.
Thank you to everyone at BET for having me today at the game. Honored to play and thanks for being so kind. #goodtimes
— Justin Bieber (@justinbieber) June 28, 2014
( Photo: Bieber via Instagram : “Had to reverse yam it in the BET celeb basketball game lmao.”)
( Photo: Bieber and Chris Brown face-off at the BET celebrity basketball game. )
( Photo: Bieber and Mayweather have a moment where the singer appeared to need some reassurance .)
( Photo: The Biebs and Breezy have fun .)
( Photo: Justin and an overcome fan at the match .)
( Photo: The Biebs getting into his stride. )
( Photo: Bieber and Snoop Dogg. )
( Vine: Bieber at the 2014 BET celebrity basketball game .)
[ Images Getty / Instagram. ]