OKC Thunder: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander selected to Rising Stars World Team
The NBA announced participants for the All-Star Rising Stars Game with OKC Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander getting the nod for the World Team.
As expected Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was selected to participate in the Rising Stars Game at All-Star Weekend in Chicago. The sophomore was the only OKC Thunder player tapped for inclusion.
There was hope Luguentz Dort or Darius Bazley would get the nod and the thinking perhaps Dort would be selected as a representative for the World Team given his Canadian nationality. However, it was not to be as the majority of rookies and sophomores are comprised of players from lottery teams.
Trae Young makes the U.S Team #Sooners pic.twitter.com/oSLAAyhAdp
— Brady Trantham (@BradyDoesSports) January 31, 2020
USA Team:
- Miles Bridges, sophomore small forward (Charlotte Hornets)
- Wendell Carter Jr. sophomore center (Chicago Bulls)
- Devonte’ Graham, rookie guard (Charlotte Hornets)
- Tyler Herro, rookie shooting guard (Miami Heat)
- Jaren Jackson Jr. sophomore center (Memphis Grizzlies)
- Ja Morant, rookie guard (Memphis Grizzlies)
- Kendrick Nunn rookie shooting guard (Miami Heat)
- Eric Paschall, rookie power forward (Golden State Warriors)
- PJ Washington, rookie power forward (Charlotte Hornets)
- Zion Williamson, rookie power forward (New Orleans Pelicans)
- Trae Young, sophomore guard (Atlanta Hawks)
There are a ton of players who could’ve made the cut who didn’t make the list (see below). And there still may be replacements as Carter Jr. hasn’t played for 13 games and is listed as out until the end of February. Since the Bulls are hosting his inclusion is understandable and perhaps they’ll replace him with teammate Coby White.
Neither of the Cavaliers young backcourts made the grade and although Herro and Nunn made the squad their teammate Duncan Robinson who is shooting lights out from the perimeter wasn’t selected.
Other snubs of note:
- Marvin Bagley III, sophomore power forward, (Sacramento Kings)
- Jalen Brunson, sophomore guard, (Dallas Mavericks)
- Jarrett Culver, rookie shooting guard (Minnesota Timberwolves)
- Terence Davis, rookie guard (Toronto Raptors)
- Darius Garland, rookie guard (Cleveland Cavaliers)
- Kevin Huerter, sophomore shooting guard (Atlanta Hawks)
- Kevin Porter Jr., rookie small forward (Cleveland Cavaliers)
- Michael Porter Jr., rookie power forward (Denver Nuggets)
- Cam Reddish, rookie small forward (Atlanta Hawks)
- Duncan Robinson, sophomore small forward (Miami Heat)
- Mitchell Robinson, sophomore center (New York Knicks)
- Collin Sexton, sophomore shooting guard (Cleveland Cavaliers)
- Matisse Thybulle, rookie shooting guard (Philadelphia 76ers)
- Lonnie Walker, sophomore shooting guard (San Antonio Spurs)
- Grant Williams, rookie power forward (Boston Celtics)
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander makes the Rising Stars World team alongside guys like Luka Doncic and Deandre Ayton. pic.twitter.com/bQkTICpCKZ
— Brady Trantham (@BradyDoesSports) January 31, 2020
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World Team:
- Nickeil Alexander-Walker, rookie guard, Canada (New Orleans Pelicans)
- Deandre Ayton, center, Bahamas (Phoenix Suns)
- RJ Barrett, rookie guard/forward, Canada (New York Knicks)
- Brandon Clarke, forward, Canada (Memphis Grizzlies)
- Luka Dončić, sophomore guard, Slovenia (Dallas Mavericks)
- Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, sophomore guard, Canada (OKC Thunder)
- Rui Hachimura, rookie power forward, Japan (Washington Wizards)
- Sviatoslav Mykhailiuk, sophomore small forward, Ukraine (Detroit Pistons)
- Josh Okogie, sophomore shooting guard, Nigeria (Minnesota Timberwolves)
- Moritz Wagner, sophomore center, Germany (Washington Wizards)
A little surprising the selection committee put in Hachimura and not Pistons, Sekou Doumbouya, the rookie small forward from Guinea given his recent performances.
With Luka Doncic dealing with an ankle injury and also playing on Sunday there may still be a shot for Lu Dort although there is already a record number of Canadians on the team with Shai, his cousin Nickeil, Clarke and Barrett.
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Congratulations to Shai Gilgeous-Alexander for his selection to the squad.