The Bell NBA All-Star Challenge, presented by Air Miles, returns to Goldring Centre this Saturday, February 6 with a full day of activities wrapping up with the Varsity Blues men's and women's basketball team hosting the Laurier Golden Hawks at 6 and 8 p.m.

The excitement and entertainment will include 12-time NBA all-star and former Toronto Raptors executive Isiah Thomas, the Raptors Dance Pak and the Raptor himself.

The NBA is looking for the top 3-Point Shooters, NBA Skills Challenge Competitors and top Dunkers to compete for a national title in Toronto over All-Star weekend. Anyone over the age of 14 is invited to come down to the Goldring Centre at 12 p.m. to qualify for their chance to compete. Top competitors from the afternoon will then compete for a trip to Toronto and a chance at the national title during halftime of the Blues games Saturday night. For more information about the contest, click here.
 
This is also the final time to see Varsity Blues head coach John Campbell coach with, or against, his legendary father, Laurier bench boss Peter Campbell, who has announced his planned retirement following the 2015-16 season. 
 
"It has been an unusual but incredible journey having started my CIS career as a player for my father at Laurentian and then moving to an assistant coaching role, while also beginning my career as a head coach at Cambrian," said John Campbell. "We worked together at Laurentian as head coaches of both the men's and women's programs, traveling together for several years while we coached the two teams – winning OUA championships twice in the same years."
 
"We have now competed against each other for 14 years in CIS competition.  I had the good fortune to have an opportunity to view the lifestyle of a coach in the CIS firsthand and made an educated decision to follow that path.  Obviously, I am fortunate to have a mentor and friend in my professional life throughout my entire career.  I believe the relationships he created and maintained with his players and colleagues throughout his time in the CIS is a positive model for all current coaches."
 
The Blues are 5-7 and sit in third place in the OUA East division, while Laurier is 6-7 and third in the West. The two teams met at the U of T Holiday Invitational last month, with the Blues coming out on top, 84-78 in overtime.
 
Third-year guard Rahshida Atkinson leads the squad, averaging 12.9 points per game; however, it's been team co-captain Alanna Garner that has topped Toronto of late, averaging 12.4 points in U of T's last five games.
 
The Blues men are 4-7 and in third place in the East, while Laurier is 6-7 and tied for second in the West.
 
Fourth-year forward Devin Johnson continues to lead the Blues and currently ranks second in the OUA with 23.2 points per game. Rookie guard Devon Williams has also averaged 12.6 points per game since the Holiday break.
 
For more information, scores and highlights on your favourite U of T athletes and teams, please visit www.varsityblues.ca. Don't forget to follow us on Twitter, Instagram or Facebook for the latest and greatest in Varsity Blues intercollegiate athletics.