November 21, 2024

It was a fun-filled day in anticipation of the 2013 NBA Draft where the Art of Luxury Series took place at NBA Legend and 2x NBA Finals Champion, Walt "Clyde" Frazier's restaurant, Clyde Frazier Wine and Dine, on 485 10th Avenue in midtown-Manhattan. Hosted by the projected No. 1 NBA draft pick, Nerlens Noel, and International Model, Clarissa Rosario, the Art of Luxury Series was presented by Tene Nicole Marketing and Public Relations, High Flyers Club, 3P Media, and Black Enterprise.

Nerlens Noel projected No 1 pick of the 2013 NBA Draft

Nerlens Noel, the projected No.1 pick in the 2013 NBA Draft

Part 1-The Art of Luxury Gifting and Grooming Suite:

The series began with the annual gifting and grooming suite for males – the only male-oriented grooming suite presented during NBA Draft Week. There were grooming items, jewelry, and other trendy products featured, as well as, Eye Vision Clothing, The Parish Nation clothing line, and Lil Wayne's TRUKFIT clothing line. Draft Pick, Victor Oladipo, and University of Duke star, Mason Plumlee, were on-site browsing the suite.

Part 2- "Passing of the Torch" Player's Dinner:

30 special guests wined and dined in a private section of Clyde Frazier's restaurant. Clyde Frazier attended and told me in an interview that he spoke to Nerlens Noel about the upcoming draft. Frazier quoted that "he likes Noel's talents and hopes he does well." He continued with advice for those entering the league "to set a plan, remember those (family, coaches, etc.) who helped get them to where they are today, work on time-management, and have confidence and a tenacious work ethic."

Clyde Frazier was thrilled to have the "Art of Luxury Series" held at his restaurant. He shared that he is amazed to see how much the NBA game has evolved, particularly with how much more the younger players are physically equipped as they enter the draft at age 19 in comparison to his 1st round NBA draft pick almost 50 years ago at age 22.

The five-star, four-course seated dinner was a great chance for former and current professional athletes, and supportive sponsors to interact with one another and exchange valuable information. Notable figures were in attendance including Former NBA Champion, Craig "Speedy" Claxton and his wife, Meeka, along with actor Sean Ringgold.

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Meeka and Craig "Speedy" Claxton. Photo Credit: Donna Leslie/What's The 411 Networks

Part 3- Red Carpet Philanthropy Mix and Mingle:

The series ended with a red carpet and up-beat Philanthropy Mix and Mingle. The lively event benefited the nonprofit organization, Beating Cancer in Heels. Founder, Marlena Ortiz, age 28, who was diagnosed with breast cancer at age 25, created the nonprofit to empower young women who are fighting cancer.

Marlena noted that everyone is always fighting for a goal in some type of element. She added, just like those entering the NBA Draft, they have been fighting to get to this level and will continue to fight to have successful careers. Through her organization, Marlena espouses a similar message. She encourages young women battling cancer to keep pushing and to live their lives to the fullest.

International Model, Clarissa Rosario; VH1's Love & Hip Hop star, Yandy Smith and VH1's Mobwives star, Love Majewski, were among the many VIP guests celebrating at the Red Carpet Philanthropy Mix and Mingle to bring Tene Nicole's NBA Pre-Draft Art of Luxury Series to a close.

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International Model Clarissa Rosario. Photo Credit: Donna Leslie/What's The 411 Networks


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Vh1's Mob Wives Reality Star Love Majewski. Photo Credit: Donna Leslie/What's The 411 Networks

Congratulations and best of luck to the 2013 NBA Draft class.

WATCH VIDEO: Meeka Claxton formerly of Vh1's Basketball Wives

Watching What's The 411's Crystal Lynn and Meeka Claxton, wife of Craig "Speedy" Claxton and former star of VH1's Basketball Wives, talk on the red carpet, is like eavesdropping on two girlfriends catching up.

They talk about everything from fashion to Meeka's upcoming book and e-book series to being engaged to marriage to careers, and Justin Tuck's R.U.S.H for Literacy Celebrity Billiards Charity Tournament.

New York Giants' Justin Tuck hosted his annual Tuck's Celebrity Billiard's Tournament presented by RXR, a leading New York Tri-State real estate operating company, on Thursday, May 30 at Slate NYC.

The event has been a popular fundraiser in Manhattan for the past four years. More than 35 celebrities were expected to take part in a single elimination 8 ball tournament, emceed by well-known actor Anthony Anderson, in which the winner will receive the Grand Prize Luxury Package that will benefit Tuck's R.U.S.H for Literacy and the United Way Hurricane Sandy Recovery Fund.

Tuck, a Defensive End for the New York Giants, started his R.U.S.H for Literacy (Read. Understand. Succeed. Hope.) charity in 2008 in hopes of providing children with the necessary resources to improve their reading skills. Thus far, 10,000 students in the Tri-State and Central Alabama communities have received new books and other materials. The Tucks have donated over 55,000 books and raised over $1.5 million dollars since the charity's inception. They have also supported other non-profit organization by donating over $150,000 in grants. This year $25,000 of the Celebrity Billiards' net proceeds will be going to the United Way Hurricane Sandy Recovery Fund as well.

In addition to Meeka Claxton, other celebrities that What's The 411 caught up with at Justin Tuck's Celebrity Billiard's Tournament included: Justin Tuck; actress and television producer, Vivica A. Fox; former NBA Basketball Player, Jason Kidd; actor, comedian, and writer, Anthony Anderson; former New York Knicks Guard John Starks; professional pool player, Jeanette "Black Widow" Lee; and Jared Fogle (better known as Jared the subway guy).

WATCH VIDEO: Jason Kidd

Justin Tuck, a defensive end for the New York Giants, hosted his annual Tuck's Celebrity Billiard's Tournament presented by RXR, a leading New York tri-state real estate operating company, on Thursday, May 30 at Slate NYC.

The event has been a popular fundraiser in Manhattan for the past four years. More than 35 celebrities were expected to take part in a single elimination 8 ball tournament, emceed by well-known actor Anthony Anderson. The tournament winner will receive the Grand Prize Luxury Package that will benefit Tuck's R.U.S.H for Literacy and the United Way Hurricane Sandy Recovery Fund.

What's The 411's Crystal Lynn spoke with New York Knicks Guard Jason Kidd, about his support of Justin Tuck as well as his favorite authors of children's books.

Tuck, a Defensive End for the New York Giants, started his R.U.S.H for Literacy (Read. Understand. Succeed. Hope.) charity in 2008 in hopes of providing children with the necessary resources to improve their reading skills. Thus far, 10,000 students in the Tri-State and Central Alabama communities have received new books and other materials. The Tucks have donated over 55,000 books and raised over $1.5 million dollars since the charity's inception. They have also supported other non-profit organization by donating over $150,000 in grants. This year $25,000 of the Celebrity Billiards' net proceeds will be going to the United Way Hurricane Sandy Recovery Fund as well.

In addition to Jason Kidd, other celebrities that What's The 411 caught up with at Justin Tuck's Celebrity Billiard's Tournament included: Justin Tuck; actress and television producer, Vivica A. Fox; actor, comedian, and writer, Anthony Anderson; Meeka Claxton, wife of Craig "Speedy" Claxton and former star of VH1's Basketball Wives; former New York Knicks Guard John Starks; professional pool player, Jeanette "The Black Widow" Lee; and Jared Fogle (better known as Jared the subway guy).

Vivica A. Fox explains why she supports Justin Tuck’s literacy initiative, R.U.S.H. for Literacy

Actress and television producer, Vivica A. Fox, checked in with What's The 411's reporter, Crystal Lynn on the red carpet at New York Giants Justin Tuck's annual Celebrity Billiards Tournament. With a little hilarity, Vivica ribs Crystal Lynn about her fashion question, as she was expecting the first question to be about Justin Tuck's literacy initiative. In true Vivica Fox form, she made clear her expectations about how she wanted to finish the tournament, the importance of Justin Tuck's R.U.S.H. for Literacy initiative and at the end, Vivica poses and gives a shout out to a New York City police officer who was standing by taking photos.

The event has been a popular fundraiser in Manhattan for the past four years. More than 35 celebrities were expected to take part in a single elimination 8 ball tournament, emceed by well-known actor Anthony Anderson, in which the winner will receive the Grand Prize Luxury Package that will benefit Tuck's R.U.S.H for Literacy and the United Way Hurricane Sandy Recovery Fund.

Tuck, a Defensive End for the New York Giants, started his R.U.S.H for Literacy (Read. Understand. Succeed. Hope.) charity in 2008 in hopes of providing children with the necessary resources to improve their reading skills. Thus far, 10,000 students in the Tri-State and Central Alabama communities have received new books and other materials. The Tucks have donated over 55,000 books and raised over $1.5 million dollars since the charity's inception. They have also supported other non-profit organization by donating over $150,000 in grants. This year $25,000 of the Celebrity Billiards' net proceeds will be going to the United Way Hurricane Sandy Recovery Fund as well.

In addition to Vivica Fox, other celebrities that What's The 411 caught up with at Justin Tuck's Celebrity Billiard's Tournament included: Justin Tuck; former NBA Basketball Player, Jason Kidd; actor, comedian, and writer, Anthony Anderson; Meeka Claxton, wife of Craig "Speedy" Claxton and former star of VH1's Basketball Wives; former New York Knicks Guard John Starks; professional pool player, Jeanette "The Black Widow" Lee; and Jared Fogle (better known as Jared the subway guy).

Justin Tuck's annual Tuck's Celebrity Billiard's Tournament presented by RXR, a leading New York tri-state real estate operating company, was held on Thursday, May 30 at Slate NYC.

VIDEO: WATCH JUSTIN TUCK INTERVIEW

New York Giants' Justin Tuck hosted his annual Tuck's Celebrity Billiard's Tournament presented by RXR, a leading New York Tri-State real estate operating company, on Thursday, May 30 at Slate NYC.

The event has been a popular fundraiser in Manhattan for the past four years. More than 35 celebrities were expected to take part in a single elimination 8 ball tournament, emceed by well-known actor Anthony Anderson, in which the winner will receive the Grand Prize Luxury Package that will benefit Tuck's R.U.S.H for Literacy and the United Way Hurricane Sandy Recovery Fund.

What's The 411's Crystal Lynn spoke with New York Giants Defensive End, Justin Tuck, about the genesis of R.U.S.H for Literacy and his relationship with books as a young child. Tuck also told Crystal Lynn that he and his wife are expecting their second son.

Tuck, a Defensive End for the New York Giants, started his R.U.S.H for Literacy (Read. Understand. Succeed. Hope.) charity in 2008 in hopes of providing children with the necessary resources to improve their reading skills. Thus far, 10,000 students in the Tri-State and Central Alabama communities have received new books and other materials. The Tucks have donated over 55,000 books and raised over $1.5 million dollars since the charity's inception. They have also supported other non-profit organization by donating over $150,000 in grants. This year $25,000 of the Celebrity Billiards' net proceeds will be going to the United Way Hurricane Sandy Recovery Fund as well.

In addition to Justin Tuck, other celebrities that What's The 411 caught up with at Justin Tuck's Celebrity Billiard's Tournament included: actress and television producer, Vivica A. Fox; former New York Knicks Guard Jason Kidd;actor, comedian, and writer, Anthony Anderson; Meeka Claxton, wife of Craig "Speedy" Claxton and former star of VH1's Basketball Wives; former New York Knicks Guard John Starks; professional pool player, Jeanette "The Black Widow" Lee; and Jared Fogle (better known as Jared the subway guy).

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