The only instances of NBA referees Tom Washington, Tony Brown and Courtney Kirkland all officiating together are some off-season pro-am games in Atlanta, the city they all call home. The trio was chosen as the officiating crew for this year’s All-Star Game, and those selections are significant for a number of reasons — including that they get to represent Atlanta and that all three are graduates of historically Black institutions, a primary focus of this game from a charitable and exposure standpoint. Washington is working the game for the third time, Brown for the second time and Kirkland also for the second time. Kirkland becomes the first ref to work back-to-back All-Star Games since Jack Madden in 1993 and 1994. Washington is a graduate of Norfolk State, Kirkland a graduate of Southern and Brown a graduate of Clark Atlanta.

Source: thestar March 06, 2021 17:03 UTC