The Oklahoma City Thunder have seen Josh Giddey set records, play at an unreal clip, and lead the team due to injuries as a rookie. That collimated in the sixth overall pick in the 2021 NBA Draft being selected for the NBA Rising Stars game, being selected fifth in the NBA Rising Stars draft under the new format that splits the group into four teams and sees them battle it out in a tournament-style event.
On Top of being the youngest player in NBA history to log a triple-double, passing LaMelo Ball who broke the record last season. Giddey also passed future Hall of Famer, top 75 players of all-time, and Oklahoma City Thunder legend Russell Westbrook in double-doubles as a rookie.
Josh Giddey is tabbed for the NBA Skills Competition on All-Star Weekend Saturday night after his Friday Night Rising Stars event
The Oklahoma City Thunder saw some backlash when they selected Josh Giddey at pick-six in the 2021 NBA Draft, especially with Jonathan Kuminga being available who spent 11 months as a lock to go top-five in the NBA Draft before falling out of favor after the NBA Draft Lottery.
Josh Giddey made it known throughout the NBA Draft Process, and afterward, that he wanted to be in Bricktown. Now, through the first half of his rookie season, he is a lock for first-time All-Rookie, has won all three Western Conference Rookie of the Month awards, and will likely finish top-three in the Rookie of the Year voting.
Josh Giddey will play in the rising stars game on Friday of All-Star Weekend, before turning around and participating in Saturday’s Skills challenge. The new format sees three teams face off with each other. The teams include “the rookies” featuring Giddey, Scottie Barnes, and Cade Cunningham against “the Cavs” Jarrett Allen, Darius Garland, and Evan Mobley and “The Antetokounmpos” with the three brothers Giannis, Alex, and Thanasis teaming up.
This competition will take shooting, passing, a team basketball relay race, and a half-court shooting competition.