Jay-Z To Perform In NYC For Basketball Festival

NEW YORK (AP) -- Jay-Z will provide the opening act for the World Basketball Festival.

The rap mogul will perform Thursday night at Radio City Music Hall as part of the kick-off ceremony for the weekend event.

Event organizer Nike made the announcement Wednesday. The performance will follow an on-court appearance by the 15 finalists for the U.S. team that is training in New York before the world championships.

The teams from France, Brazil and China are also part of the festival, which includes appearances around the city before an exhibition doubleheader Sunday at Madison Square Garden. The Americans will face the French before China meets Brazil.

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