Stars

Pop star Bieber wins MVP at NBA celebrity game

(Xinhua/Agencies)
Updated: 2011-02-21 10:45

Recording artist Justin Bieber (R) drives around former NBA player Mitch Richmond (L) during the first half of the 2011 BBVA All-Star Celebrity basketball game as a part of the NBA All-Star basketball weekend in Los Angeles, Feb 18, 2011. [Photo/Agencies]

LOS ANGELES - Justin Bieber may have been shut out at the Grammys, but he picked up the Most Valuable Player award in the NBA All-Star celebrity game.

The 16-year-old teen singing sensation had eight points, four assists and two rebounds for the West team, which lost 54-49 to the East on Friday night at the Los Angeles Convention Center.

Wearing a black T-shirt under his red-and-white jersey, Bieber spent most of the game hitching up his shorts that fell well below the knee. His pregame stretching included trying, but failing, to touch his toes.

"I'm just running back and forth," Bieber said during an in-game interview. "I'm controlling this whole team. I'm just kidding."

The All-Star celebrity game features former NBA players, WNBA players, actors and singers. It precedes the NBA All-Star game on Sunday night.

Recording artist Justin Bieber of the West team kisses his MVP trophy after the 2011 BBVA All-Star Celebrity basketball game as a part of the NBA All-Star basketball weekend in Los Angeles, Feb 18, 2011. [Photo/Agencies]

Bieber's West teammates were Zac Levi of "Chuck", R&B singer Trey Songz, rapper Romeo Miller, and Rob Kardashian, whose sister Khloe is married to Odom.

Retired player Scottie Pippen led the East team with 17 points and had what could have been the defensive highlight of the night - a third-quarter block of Bieber.

Bieber was nominated for two Grammy Awards, but didn't win either in the ceremony last weekend.