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Sydney Colson, Chiney and Nneka Ogwumike, and All-Star Game MVP Arike Ogunbowale were among the women’s basketball stars who took over North Italia in Phoenix Saturday for the closing night of WNBA All-Star Weekend.
Sponsored by Fenty Beauty and Modernblkgirl’s MBG 360, the “Ladies Night” event also brought out college basketball stars Paige Bueckers and Flau’jae Johnson (who performed under her rapper name Flau’Jae), plus Outer Banks star Madison Bailey. Joining the ladies on the star-studded guest list were rapper Toosii, former NBA star Baron Davis, and Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray, among other athletes and influencers, while DJ Ria and DJ Bova kept the dance floor moving with a crowd-pleasing mix of 90s and 2000s jams, with some current cuts thrown in for good measure (at one point, the DJs had the entire room rapping along to Kendrick Lamar’s “Not Like Us” while the WNBA players took celebratory post-game shots with their entourages).
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The party came after a rollicking 2024 All-Star Game where Team WNBA defeated Team USA 117-109. While the action was tense on the court at Footprint Center, the vibe was decidedly more laidback at North Italia, which transformed its restaurant space into a VIP-only lounge for the night.
Guests took home gift bags with the newly-released Fenty Hair products, while bottles of Kevin Hart’s Gran Coramino Reposado and Anejo tequila lined the bar. Gran Coramino was the official drink sponsor on the night, serving up classic cocktails with a twist (think a Sicilian margarita and a “Coco Rosa,” with Gran Coramino Reposado, coconut, vanilla, lime and aperitivo mix). North Italia, meantime, provided passed bites of their elevated menu classics and Italian favorites, like Cacio e Pepe Arancini, Ricotta and Mozzarella Tortelloni, and Short Rib Pizza. House-made bombolini and tiramisu offered the perfect sweet bites to end the night.
All the brands say they wanted to partner on the event to toast the ladies of the WNBA and to “honor the incredible talent and achievements of these outstanding athletes.”
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The “Ladies Night” party comes on the heels of one of the most exciting WNBA seasons to date, led by veteran superstars like Brittney Griner and A’ja Wilson, and rookies Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese. Griner and Wilson are among the WNBA stars heading to the Paris Olympics with Team USA, while Clark and Reese will get a much-deserved break while the league is on hiatus during the Summer Games.
In addition to celebrating the WNBA, Saturday’s event helped to highlight Unrivaled Basketball, a new women’s basketball league co-founded by Breanna Stewart and Napheesa Collier and set to tip off in January. The 3-on-3 league is meant to be a counterpart to the WNBA, giving players an opportunity to keep playing during the offseason.
