Brooklyn Nets

Brooklyn Nets will honor The Notorious B.I.G. with 'Biggie Night' against Knicks

Published Mar. 9, 2017 10:41 a.m. ET

Pete Blackburn

With Thursday marking the 20th anniversary of legendary hip-hop artist The Notorious B.I.G.'s death, the Nets have announced plans to honor the life of the late rapper, who proudly hailed from Brooklyn.

Christopher Wallace established himself as one of the best and most influential rappers to ever step in the booth before he was shot and killed at age 24 in 1997. The Nets will celebrate the life of Wallace with "Biggie Night" on Sunday, when they host the New York Knicks at Barclays Center.

There will be special pregame and halftime ceremonies celebrating Wallace and his music, which will presumably be played throughout the night. The team has also invited Wallace's mother, his four children and longtime friend/fellow rap legend, Sean "Diddy" Combs, to attend the game and take part in the ceremonies.

"We infuse Brooklyn wherever possible," Brett Yormark, CEO of Brooklyn Sports and Entertainment, told ESPN.com. "The architecture of the building speaks to the borough -- 85 percent of our employees are from Brooklyn. When you think of the music we play, we obviously play tribute to artists who have made Brooklyn a home or are from Brooklyn, starting with Jay Z, Biggie and many others. It has become part of our DNA."

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"He's from Brooklyn. We play his music. We consider ourselves the home of hip-hop -- both Brooklyn and Barclays Center. It is very appropriate that this night takes place in Brooklyn."

There hasn't been a whole lot to get excited about for Nets fans this season, but it sounds like Sunday might be a pretty cool experience for fans of basketball and hip-hop.