Mack Wilson Sr. on his 4th Annual Celebrity Basketball Game in Tempe
Arizona Cardinals linebacker Mack Wilson Sr. on his 4th Annual Celebrity Basketball Game at Corona del Sol High School in Tempe, on May 10, 2025.
Throughout the offseason, the Arizona Cardinals moves — both in free agency and the NFL draft — drew consistent praise from their biggest stars. Players such as Kyler Murray, James Conner and Budda Baker took to social media to voice support for general manager Monti Ossenfort’s additions.
Ahead of his charity basketball game in Tempe on Saturday, May 10, linebacker Mack Wilson Sr. raised the bar.
“I feel like we have no ceiling,” Wilson said.
It’s a bold claim for a team that finished 8-9 a year ago and has not reached the playoffs since 2021.
But the Cardinals’ offseason moves were loud. They signed edge rusher Josh Sweat, one of the year’s marquee free agents. They added Dalvin Tomlinson, a big name at defensive tackle. They brought back Calais Campbell, a former franchise star.
In the first two rounds of the draft, they added two players widely seen as more talented than their draft position: defensive tackle Walter Nolen and cornerback Will Campbell.
“It’s been dope to see Monti go to work and just the key additions he’s made,” Wilson said. “I feel like it’s been key to what we’re gonna be able to build off of this season. We did a great job of just getting everything we need.”
Those additions, though, centered on the Cardinals defense. Offensively, they’ll need internal improvements.
Among the most important players to that end will be receiver Marvin Harrison Jr., who made his first public appearance since January at Wilson’s charity basketball game. He appeared notably bigger than he was as a rookie, when he measured in at 6 feet, 3 inches tall, 209 pounds.
Harrison declined to speak with reporters Saturday but entering the offseason, he said that he wanted to focus on improving his contested catch ability — an area in which he struggled as a rookie.
Receiver Michael Wilson previously identified Harrison as a player who had bulked up over the offseason, which could help Harrison bring down more of those contested balls.
Mack Wilson part of charity-focused Cardinals group
Wilson isn’t the only Cardinals player focusing on charitable causes. Next week, Kyler Murray is hosting his inaugural charity softball game at Salt River Fields in Scottsdale. Once the Cardinals’ offseason program winds down in June, more players will follow suit, with camps and events of their own.
For Wilson, this was his fourth annual basketball game — but his first in Arizona. The previous three were all in Alabama, where he grew up. He never held one in Cleveland or New England, his previous two NFL stops.
“I just wanted to see how it would turn out doing it back with the city, the team I play for,” Wilson said. “Just to pour it back into this city in general.”
Cardinals coach Jonathan Gannon on his expectations of rookies
Cardinals head coach Jonathan Gannon spoke with the media at the Arizona Cardinals training center in Tempe on the first day of rookie minicamp.
Proceeds from ticket sales went to benefit the Make A Difference Foundation, which was founded by Wilson’s godfather, Todd Dowell. The foundation helps ensure underprivileged young athletes have access to sports facilities and tutoring help.
Wilson was able to draw a star-studded cast to the event. The contingent of Cardinals on hand was headlined by Harrison, Trey McBride and James Conner. Hall of Fame receiver Terrell Owens was on hand. Even former teammates of Wilson’s from the Patriots, Matthew Judon, Keion White and Christian Gonzalez, flew across the country to participate.
“One thing about Mack is that he pours into other people,” White said. “So it makes you want to give back to him as well. He’ll show out for all your events and be the first person to cheer you on so you want to return the favor almost.”
As for the game, Harrison made his presence felt with a handful of explosive dunks, but Wilson’s team emerged with an 83-80 win at the cost of most of his Cardinals’ teammates.