AT&T 5G HoloVision℠ Powers A Surprise Meeting Between NBA Prospect Patrick Williams and Long-Time Idol and WNBA Career Scoring Leader Diana Taurasi 

The Prospect and The Legend “meet” for some last-minute advice ahead of the NBA Draft Presented by State Farm® 

AT&T, the Official 5G Wireless Network of the NBA, will deploy its AT&T 5G HoloVision technology ahead of the NBA Draft, bringing together NBA Draft prospect Patrick Williams and his long-time basketball idol, nine-time WNBA All-Star and three-time WNBA champion Diana Taurasi to meet for the first time. 

A Powerful Pair

Unable to meet in-person, AT&T 5G HoloVision allows Taurasi to be alongside Williams in lifelike clarity. She’ll share advice on going pro, talk training, and vital skills for entering the league – all with virtually no lag, freezing or buffering. It’s the next best way to train without being there in person.

Tune into ESPN on Wed., Nov. 18 at 8 p.m. EST for the NBA’s first-ever virtual Draft and across AT&T’s social channels to see more action from Williams on the court and Taurasi coaching on the virtual sidelines. 

A Unique Draft

The NBA Draft is a life-changing event for so many athletes. But this year is particularly unique. This year marks the first-ever virtual NBA Draft and will be a new and unique experience for draftees, families and fans to celebrate from wherever they are. Plus, draftees and fans will get to know each other for the first time after some college seasons were cut short. 

After the success of the AT&T 5G HoloVision interviews during the 2020 NBA Conference Finals, AT&T wanted to take the opportunity to use our network, products and services to best recreate the meaningful experiences that are typically celebrated in person - not only for the fans and teams anxiously awaiting to learn who the new rookies are, but for the draftees who are entering into their future. 

In addition to Patrick and Diana’s 5G-powered mentorship session, AT&T’s service will be powering more than 35 smartphones for draftees to communicate and coordinate with ESPN in real-time. AT&T Business is also working with the NBA on a national support model to help meet the communications needs of draft participants in its first-ever virtual draft. 

An Innovative Partnership

Since AT&T’s partnership with the NBA began, AT&T has been bringing the power of 5G to various events and activations across the country. Earlier this year, AT&T brought 5G to NBA All-Star for the first time, including at NBA Crossover and via the AT&T 5G Courtside Cam which shared unique, live camera angles directly from the AT&T Slam Dunk Contest as part of State Farm® All-Star Saturday Night.  AT&T and the NBA were the first to broadcast a professional sports event in 5G at the 2019 MGM Resorts NBA Summer League.  AT&T also previously worked with Turner and the NBA during the 2019 Kia NBA Tip-Off broadcast to deliver virtual side-by-side access to TNT’s broadcast of Candace Parker through a volumetric 3D experience powered by AT&T 5G. 

AT&T is the Official 5G Wireless Network of the NBA and the WNBA, Associate Partner of the NBA Draft presented by State Farm and is also the Marquee Sponsor of the WNBA.