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London exhibition to feature NBA pop culture ties

Former NBA player Steve Nash looks on in the Verizon Slam Dunk Contest during NBA All-Star Weekend 2016 at Air Canada Centre

A London exhibition next week will feature the NBA and its links to popular culture over time, the league announced Wednesday. Canadian NBA guard Steve Nash will be on hand as "NBA Crossover" is unveiled October 28-30 in Shoreditch, chronicling the convergence of NBA players and game action with music, film, fashion, television and video games. The exhibition, a first of its sort for the NBA, will utilize interactive exhibits to showcase how the league and popular culture have influenced each other over decades. "Basketball has been a way of life for me," said Nash, a two-time NBA Most Valuable Player. "From my earliest beginnings, playing on a playground through to performing on the biggest stage I am constantly reminded of the impact basketball has on everyday life. "Basketball has its very own unique culture and NBA Crossover will illustrate how the worlds of sports and popular culture collide." A music area will show how players and musicians have influenced each other while a fashion display will study how players have become trendsetters in clothing, often appearing on magazine covers and at fashion shows worldwide. NBA impact on film and celebrity areas will also be studied, using such examples as Shaquille O'Neal, Michael Jordan and LeBron James who have crossed over into movies. The latest NBA video game will also be available for visitors to play. "The relationship between the NBA and popular culture extends far beyond the court and appeals to casual and devoted fans alike," said NBA vice president Benjamin Morel. "This exhibition will capture the many ways that the league and its players have influenced -- and been influenced by -- trends in fashion, music, entertainment and more."