Josh Giddey named an NBA Rising Star at All-Star weekend

The Oklahoma City Thunder have hit a home run with their sixth overall pick in the 2021 NBA Draft when they shocked the NBA world with their selection of Josh Giddey. Sam Presti shocked the basketball world when after their poor lottery luck one of the most hyped prospects, Jonathan Kuminga, was still on the board. Kuminga spent most of the 2021 NBA Draft cycle as a lock to go top-5 before the Scottie Barnes love affair started at the NBA Combine.

Selecting Josh Giddey on NBA Draft night was not a microwave success story, it was met with some pushback and a move that OKC Thunder fans needed to see develop over time. The next day reports surfaced that it was not a reach, Golden State was primed to select Giddey at seven, and the rookie’s play on the floor has done the same this season.

Josh Giddey’s iconic NBA rookie season continues, tabbed a rising star for NBA All-Star weekend in Cleveland

Giddey has already become the youngest player in NBA History to record a triple-double, leads the Thunder for Double-doubles in a season all-time for a rookie already passing Russell Westbrook, and with three wins in three tries for Western Conference Rookie of the Month.

Josh Giddey is a lock for an All-Rookie spot at the end of the year, but given the loaded rookie class will still have to fight tooth and nail to even finish top three in NBA Rookie of the Year voting. Still, he has earned a spot in the rising stars game.

This year, the NBA has changed the way they will handle the NBA All-Star rising stars event on Friday, January 18th in Cleveland, Ohio. This event is now split into four teams that will compete in a tournament-style event. Giddey’s teammates include Jalen Green, Cole Anthony, Marjon Beauchamp, Herbert Jones, Tyrese Maxey, and Jalen Suggs.  MarJon Beauchamp is one of four NBA G-League players to be featured in the event.

The rising stars segment also features a shootout challenge that pairs Giddey with Cleveland Cavs standout Evan Mobley.