CJ Stroud Named to NBA All-Star Celebrity Game Roster

C.J. Stroud is headed to another All-Star game.

The Houston Texans rookie quarterback was named to the Ruffles NBA All-Star Celebrity Game roster for Team Stephen A. Smith. Smith's team will take on current ESPN host and NFL Hall of Fame tight end Shannon Sharpe's roster in Indianapolis, Ind., on Feb. 16 at the Gainbridge Fieldhouse.

Stroud is one of two active NFL players added to the celebrity game, joining Dallas Cowboys All-Pro linebacker Micah Parsons. Other celebrities on Team Stephen A. include former NBA All-Star Metta World Peace, EGOT winner Jennifer Hudson, singer AJ McLean, award-winning chef Kwame Onwuachi, content creator Tristan Jass, and Phoenix Mercury point guard Natasha Cloud.

Joining Parsons on Team Shannon include Emmy Award-winning entertainer Lilly Singh, streamer Kai Cenat, singer SiR, IndyCar Series racer Conor Daly, actor Dylan Wang, and country artist Walker Hayes. Hall of Fame quarterback Peyton Manning and raper 50 Cent will serve as coaches on Team Shannon while WNBA star and current Las Vegas Ace forward Aj'a Wilson and rapper Lil Wayne will coach on Team Stephen A.

Stroud recently was coached by Manning after being added to the AFC's Pro Bowl roster last week in Orlando, Fla. The No. 2 pick proved to be the top passer at Camping World Stadium on Sunday, completing 18 of 22 passes for 173 yards and two touchdowns.

A former four-star recruit from Rancho Cucamonga, Calif., Stroud excelled at both football and basketball leading up to his senior season. He remains an avid Lakers fan despite living in Houston and grew up loving All-Star Kobe Bryant.

Last season, Stroud became the fifth rookie passer in league history to throw for over 4,000 yards in their first season. He also became the youngest quarterback to win a playoff game (22) following a 45-14 win over the Cleveland Browns in the wild-card round, and the first rookie passer to secure a victory since Mark Sanchez in 2009.

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Stroud, the favorite to win Offensive Rookie of the Year Thursday night at the NFL Awards presentation in Las Vegas, Nev., threw for 4,108 yards, 23 touchdowns and five interceptions in 15 starts. He joined Tom Brady and Joe Montana as the third quarterback in league history to lead the league in touchdown-to-interception ratio (23-5) and passing yards per game (278.5) in the same season.

But this is only the start for Stroud, who guided Houston to its first division title in four seasons. He's now looking to return to the gridiron and prove Year 1 wasn't a one-hit wonder.

“I don’t just want to be the best rookie, the best second-year dude,” Stroud said last month following a loss to the Baltimore Ravens in the divisional round. “I want to be the best, point blank, period. I’m excited to get going with that.”