Birmingham is set to host a preseason NBA game in 2018.

NBA star James Harden appeared as part of announcement at Parker High that Birmingham will host an NBA preseason game featuring the Houston Rockets. The exact date remains undetermined.

Harden stars for the Rockets and was runner-up in last year's NBA MVP voting.

Harden said that he and his fellow teammates would look to provide a strong fan experience for those coming to the Birmingham game.

"There hasn't been a game here in 10 years, so we want to go out and give these fans a great time," Harden said. "We want to have interaction and conversations with the fans, show them that we're human beings, just like them."

The announcement came in conjunction with the finale of the "Summer of Opportunity" initiative hosted by BBVA Compass for young people throughout the Birmingham area.

Preseason exhibition NBA games have taken place in Birmingham in the past.

The Charlotte Bobcats and Atlanta Hawks played at the BJCC in 2005, while the Orlando Magic and Atlanta played there in 2006. Back in 1999, Birmingham hosted the Detroit Pistons and Houston Rockets.

Birmingham mayor William Bell said that the game would give evidence of the city's affinity for the NBA.

"We're a big NBA town, and we want to show fan support to the NBA," Bell said. "Birmingham is not just a football town, it's a great sports town."