Celtics' Marcus Smart Named To Rising Stars Challenge
BOSTON (CBS) -- While Isaiah Thomas waits to find out if he'll be a reserve for the Eastern Conference, we know one Celtic who will take part in the NBA's All-Star festivities in Toronto.
Second-year guard Marcus Smart was one of 20 players selected to play in the Rising Stars Challenge during the 2016 NBA All-Star weekend, the league announced on Wednesday.
Smart, who Boston drafted sixth overall in 2014, has averaged 9.2 points, 3.2 assists and 4.5 rebounds in 25 games this season and ranks second on the team with 1.68 steals per game. He was not named to the Rising Stars Challenge last season as a rookie.
The Celtics' guard will play on the U.S. team alongside No. 1 overall pick Karl-Anthony Towns of Minnesota, Timberwolves guard Zach Lavine, Jahlil Okafor and Nerlens Noel of the Philadelphia 76ers, Jordan Clarkson and D'Angelo Russell of the Los Angeles Lakers, Rodney Hood of the Utah Jazz, Jabari Parker of the Milwaukee Bucks and Elfrid Payton of the Orlando Magic.
Minnesota's Andrew Wiggins highlights the World team, which also includes New York Knicks rookie Kristaps Porzingas, Bojan Bogdanovic of the Brooklyn Nets, Clint Capela of the Houston Rockets, Mario Hezonja of the Orlando Magic, Nikola Jokic and Emmanuel Mudiay of the Denver Nuggets, Nikola Mirotic of the Chicago Bulls, Raul Neto of the Utah Jazz and Dwight Powell of the Dallas Mavericks.
The rosters for the Rising Stars Challenge were picked by assistant coaches throughout the league. The game, which pits 10 first- and second-year players from the U.S. against 10 first- and second-year players from around the world, will be played on Friday, February 12 at Air Canada Centre in Toronto.
