Shaquille O'Neal and Nestle Crunch Kick Off Search for Nation's Hottest Teen Ballers at 2005 NBA All-Star in Denver

Shaquille O'Neal and Nestle Crunch Kick Off Search for Nation's Hottest Teen Ballers at 2005 NBA All-Star in Denver

7th Annual Nestle Crunch Hot Shots Camp Moves East to Miami

DENVER, Feb. 16 /PRNewswire/ -- The self-proclaimed Most Dominant Ever (MDE), twelve-time NBA All Star Shaquille O'Neal has watched the nation's top teens dunk, dribble and drain their way to the exclusive Nestle Crunch Hot Shots Camp. Following four rim-rattling years in Los Angeles, the Hot Shots Camp is following Shaq to Miami. But the path to the beaches of Miami first goes through the Rocky Mountains and Denver as the search tips off at the NBA All-Star 2005 Jam Session on Saturday, February 19, 2005.

The search for Hot Shots invites males and females between 12-19 to submit video entries showcasing their on-the-court skills, distinctive style and Crunchy attitude. Ten contestants will win the opportunity of a lifetime to attend the exclusive Nestle Crunch Hot Shots Camp and hang with Shaq in his adopted hometown of Miami this summer, including a chance to face off with the "Big Aristotle" mano-a-mano.

"The ballers I saw at last year's Hot Shots Camp were pretty fresh," said Shaq. "This year's group is going to have to be even better because we're going to Miami. If the Hot Shots want to stand out in South Beach, they better bring their A-game. That place is hot already!"

"For six years now, Nestle Crunch has given basketball Hot Shots an unforgettable opportunity to showcase their skills and match up with the best the NBA has to offer," said Tricia Bowles, Manager, Public Relations, Nestle Confections & Snacks. "We're going to elevate this program to the next level in Miami. Just like our Hot Shots do on the court -- we're taking it coast to coast."

ALL-STAR WEEKEND LAUNCH

To kick off the program in style, ten of Denver's best young basketball players will show off their skills for Shaq at the 2005 NBA All-Star 2005 Jam Session. The contestants will be judged on a variety of categories, with one player earning a bonus spot at the 7th Annual Nestle Crunch Hot Shots Camp to join the 10 Hot Shots Contest winners.

This event also signals a call for entries to find the nation's top up-and-coming basketball stars.

On-site at Jam Session, local Denver-area male and female ballers ages 12-19 who want to show off their stuff will have the opportunity to be taped and entered into the 2005 Nestle Crunch Hot Shots contest throughout 2005 NBA All-Star Weekend at the Sport Court area on Saturday, Feb. 19, from 3-4 pm and Sunday, Feb. 20, from 1-2 pm. All participants will receive Nestle Crunch gear.

HOW TO ENTER

To enter the Nestle Crunch Hot Shots basketball competition, entrants are asked to send in a 60-second video showing off their hottest moves and crunchy, confident attitude on the court. From thundering dunks to no-look passes to crossovers to buzzer-beaters, Nestle Crunch Hot Shots have to show they are crunchy.

PRIZES

10 Grand Prize winners will win a trip to Miami with a parent or guardian to attend the 7th Annual Nestle Crunch Hot Shots Camp and get a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to show off his/her moves and to test his/her game against the three-time NBA world champion and 2004 NBA All-Star MVP Shaquille O'Neal. Grand prize winners will also walk away with an Xbox gaming console, an official Nestle Crunch Hot Shots Camp jersey, a Shaq-autographed basketball and an unforgettable photo taken with the big man himself. Forty first prize winners will each receive an Xbox party pack and 50 second prize winners will each receive a one-year subscription to SLAM Magazine.

To obtain rules and an official entry form, go to NestleCrunch.com or send envelope to: Nestle Crunch Hot Shots Camp Entry Form Request, 6500 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 1900, Los Angeles, CA, 90048, 323-866-6076. No purchase necessary. Contest open to legal residents of the 50 US states & DC, between 12-19 years of age. Void where prohibited. All entries must be received by and contest ends 7/15/05.

Why be plain? When you can be Crunchy(TM). Visit NestleCrunch.com for more information and upcoming promotions.

ABOUT NESTLE USA

Named one of "America's Most Admired Food Companies" in Fortune magazine for the seventh consecutive year, Nestle USA provides quality brands and products that bring flavor to life every day. From nutritious meals with Stouffer's(R) Lean Cuisine(R), to baking traditions with Nestle(R) Toll House(R), to advancing life for pets with Purina(R), Nestle USA makes delicious, convenient, and nutritious food and beverage products that enrich the very experience of life itself. That's what "Nestle. Good Food, Good Life" is all about. Nestle USA, with 2003 sales of $12 billion, includes Nestle Brands Company, Nestle Prepared Foods Company, and Nestle Purina PetCare Company. Nestle USA is part of Nestle S.A. in Vevey, Switzerland -- the world's largest food company with sales of $65.5 billion. For product news and information, visit Nestleusa.com or NestleNewsroom.com.

Contact: Jordan Miller
MS&L PR
323-866-6035
Jordan.miller@mslpr.com


Source: Nestle USA

CONTACT: Jordan Miller of MS&L PR, +1-323-866-6035,
Jordan.miller@mslpr.com, for Nestle USA

Web site: http://nestlenewsroom.com/

Web site: http://nestleusa.com/


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