What’s funny is Barajas had no clue he was going to the Chase Center to see the 2025 NBA All-Star Game on Sunday night, as he’d been hoping to go but didn’t have it on the calendar.

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Jaren Barajas shoots on his backyard hoop maybe once a month these days. He's a busy 18-year-old college student now, so basketball has taken a backburner to academics.

last year. “I got surprised with these tickets [Saturday], so I didn’t even know I was coming to the game,” Barajas said. “So to have this experience, it’s so surreal. I’m so thankful ...