Simmons, Mitchell, Doncic in Rising Stars game
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Philadelphia’s Ben Simmons, Utah’s Donovan Mitchell and Dallas’ Luka Doncic were among the 20 players announced Tuesday as participants in this year’s Rising Stars game at All-Star Weekend.
Simmons is the reigning Rookie of the Year, and Doncic is the favorite to win that award this season.
For the fifth straight year, the game that features rookies and second-year players will use a U.S. vs. World format.
The U.S. team includes Mitchell, Jarrett Allen of Brooklyn, Marvin Bagley III and De’Aaron Fox of Sacramento, Lonzo Ball and Kyle Kuzma of the Los Angeles Lakers, Jayson Tatum of Boston, Jaren Jackson Jr. of Memphis, and John Collins and Trae Young of Atlanta.
The World team has Doncic, Simmons, Cedi Osman of Cleveland, Josh Okogie of Minnesota, Lauri Markkanen of Chicago, Rodions Kurucs of Brooklyn, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander of the LA Clippers, Deandre Ayton of Phoenix, OG Anunoby of Toronto and Bogdan Bogdanovic of Sacramento.
Bogdanovic was the game’s MVP last year, when the World team beat the U.S. 155-124. The World team is 3-1 in the current format of what was once called the rookie-sophomore game.
The game is Feb. 15. Boston’s Kyrie Irving and Dallas’ Dirk Nowitzki will be honorary members of the coaching staffs.