Knicks rookie guard Tim Hardaway Jr. and Nets first-year forward Mason Plumlee were named Wednesday for the Rising Stars Challenge, which takes place the Friday of All-Star Weekend.
Two teams of nine rookie and second year players will compete. The players, selected by the NBA’s assistant coaches, will be drawn onto teams coached by Charles Barkley and Shaquille O’Neal in a televised draft on Feb 6. The game is set for Feb. 14 in New Orleans.
Hardaway is averaging 8.6 points and shooting 40.9 percent from 3-point range. He has scored in double digits in four of the past five games.
Plumlee’s playing time has dropped recently with the Nets going to a smaller lineup. The 22nd pick in the draft last June is averaging 5.6 points and 3.0 rebounds in 33 games.
“This is a great honor for Mason and the Nets organization,” Nets general manager Billy King said. “He has worked extremely hard from the first day of training camp at Duke to the present, and this selection is a testament to his work ethic. We look forward to his continued development.”
The sophomores picked were: Harrison Barnes (Warriors), Bradley Beal (Wizards), Anthony Davis (Pelicans), Andre Drummond (Pistons), Terrence Jones (Rockets), Damian Lillard (Trail Blazers), Jared Sullinger (Celtics), Jonas Valanciunas (Raptors) and Dion Waiters (Cavaliers).
The remaining rookies are: Steven Adams (Thunder), Pero Antic (Hawks), Giannis Antetokounmpo (Bucks), Trey Burke (Jazz), Michael Carter-Williams (76ers), Victor Oladipo (Magic) and Kelly Olynyk (Celtics).