"Those of us who grew up playing basketball, whether on a playground in the city or a farm in the heartland, are grateful to the game for the lessons it teaches us about life," President Obama says in a special message for the NBA All-Star Game.

"Tonight, we celebrate individual excellence but we remember that throughout the game's history, its greatest players -- its champions -- are those who don't just perfect their own game, but make those around them better," he says.

He also makes a call to emulate that lesson by visiting USAService.org and giving back to our communities.

Watch the full message below.