Kelly Oubre’s style, Justin Edwards’ dancing, and a Ja Rule concert highlight record-setting Sixers Youth Foundation Gala

While the 76ers spend most of their time on the court, scoring buckets and putting on a show in front of a raucous crowd at Xfinity Mobile Arena, Thursday gave them a chance to unwind.

It was the eighth annual Sixers Youth Foundation Gala, and while walking the red carpet outside the Fillmore, players weren’t asked about a play design or what someone saw on a certain shot. Instead, the majority of questions focused on their outfits and who had the best dance moves.

And, of course, the meaning behind the night: raising money for a good cause.

“I hope I’m just making them smile, making them laugh,” said guard Tyrese Maxey. “My biggest thing that I try to do is just bring joy to people and I’ve been doing that my entire life.”

Out on the red carpet, the players were dressed to the nines. Maxey donned a red jacket with a shirt and tie — which he jokingly said he took from his dad’s closet. Forward Kelly Oubre Jr., who sported an all white outfit that “felt very godly,” was cited by a majority of his teammates as the best-dressed Sixer.

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Then there were players like Justin Edwards, who threw together something to wear at the last second. The Philly native’s style inspiration came earlier that morning on a trip to the mall.

And when center Andre Drummond waltzed onto the carpet, he offered himself up as the best dressed on the team, and was simple in describing his style of choice.

“I like to look good,” Drummond said.

While the event acts as a way for the players to show off their threads, it’s mainly a way to raisemoney for charity. The night, dubbed ​​”An Evening on the Court," featured food stands spread across the room with mini basketball courts for attendees to shoot around. A stage took up most of the front of the venue.

It was there that Marjorie Harris, the foundation chair and wife of Sixers managing partner Josh Harris, spoke. Marjorie has been working with the foundation since its inception in 2015. The organization, which has touched the lives of 285,000 young people through its mission of bringing positive change through basketball, has refurbished 15 area courts — with two more on the way — and hosts basketball clinics and academic enrichment programs around the city. Much of the money raised by the foundation comes from donations made at the gala.

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“[The] gala is obviously the way in which we raised funds to be able to support the youth of the city. But over the years, it’s become a very special event,” Harris said. “I think it’s an amazing opportunity for everyone in the community to come together. You have representation by our basketball players who are really supportive of the foundation and are there right with us and celebrating the work that we do. … It’s a great show.”

When Harris took her turn on the carpet, she shared that the foundation had raised more than $2 million before the night even started. By the time the gala was over, they’d hit a record of $2.6 million.

In addition to raising money through ticket sales, the event consisted of a silent auction that featured an All-Star ball signed by Maxey and rookie guard VJ Edgecombe, and a rare No. 6 Allen Iverson jersey that he only wore in one game. Then, a live auction featured some more experiential items, like a meet-and-greet with Olympic hockey hero Jack Hughes, and four tickets to Maxey’s annual golf event. One of the biggest live auction items was a “hoops experience” with Maxey and Kyle Lowry for 20 kids at the Sixers practice facility.

The event also featured members of the 2000-01 Sixers, following the season-long celebration of the last Sixers team to reach the NBA Finals. Staying in the early 2000s theme, rapper Ja Rule performed for the players and fans in attendance.

In addition to the players’ fashion, Ja’s appearance sparked some debate on the red carpet: What is their favorite song by the rapper?

For some players, like Edgecombe, that could be a tough question. The Sixers rookie wasn’t yet born when the majority of Ja Rule’s albums were released — only 2012’s Pain is Love II came out during Edgecombe’s lifetime. But among those who could either remember his heyday or know their rap history, the answer was fairly consistent: “What’s Luv?” by Fat Joe, featuring Ashanti. While Ja Rule has a writing and vocal credit on that track, he doesn’t have a verse — but maybe it was the basketball-themed music video that did the trick.

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And as the conversation switched from fashion to music, the topic of the team’s best dancer came up — and Edwards, despite his last-minute outfit shopping, was a near-unanimous pick.

“We actually incorporated a dance into our handshake because he dances so much,” Paul George said. “So, I’m going to say Justin.”

For players like Edwards and Lowry, both Philly natives, the event and the foundation’s work at large gives them the chance to be in front of kids who are in the same shoes they used to wear. Behind all the jokes and the stylish outfits, the Sixers all talked about how important it is to be there for the next generation.

“Kids have to know that it’s possible for them,” Edwards said. “I see [them] being so close to NBA players and stuff and letting them know that there’s a way to get out.”