Who is Laurana Strachan? Sang national anthem in Game 4 of NBA Finals

Laurana Strachan, a South Florida native, wowed the crowd with her rendition of the United States national anthem at Game 4 of the 2023 NBA Finals on Friday, as the Denver Nuggets and Miami Heat faced off at the Kaseya Center in South Beach.

Strachan received high praise for her performance of the Star-Spangled Banner, setting the stage for Game 4 of the NBA Finals. A passionate fan expressed their admiration, saying: "This beautiful black woman NAILED it. The NA. Lady Laurana Strachan. And let's hope that the Nuggy's jinxed themselves tonight by slapping hands before the anthem was over."

This wasn't Strachan's first time singing the national anthem at a Miami Heat game. She also performed the Star-Spangled Banner before Game 5 of the 2022 Eastern Conference Finals between the Heat and Boston Celtics. Fans were also impressed by her performance last year.

In 2018, Strachan made headlines when she revealed that she wasn't paid for a performance at an event by a city commissioner. Speaking to WSVN Miami, she shared her passion for singing: "I've been singing since I was 5 years old, a very long time. It's something I enjoy doing. It's my life. It's definitely who I am."

Why is the national anthem played before the NBA Finals?

Kahara Hodges performs the national anthem before Game 4 of the Western Conference Semifinals. Singing the national anthem has been a longstanding tradition before sporting events in the United States, but what is the significance behind it?

According to NBC Miami, the Star-Spangled Banner serves as an introduction to the event about to unfold. It is a way to honor the country and the people who have shaped the United States.

The anthem's association with sporting events began in 1918 during the World Series between the Boston Red Sox and Chicago Cubs. It has since become a cherished tradition. In 1931, the United States officially declared the Star-Spangled Banner as its national anthem.

While other songs like "America the Beautiful," "Hail, Columbia," and "My Country, 'Tis of Thee" are used to honor the country, the Star-Spangled Banner holds a special place as the nation's anthem.

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