SALT LAKE CITY (February 3, 2016) – The NBA announced today that Utah Jazz forward and Canadian native Trey Lyles has been added to the 2016 BBVA Compass Rising Stars Challenge during NBA All-Star 2016 in Toronto, joining teammates Raul Neto and Rodney Hood who were previously announced. The league’s annual showcase of premier young talent pits 10 first- and second-year NBA players from the United States against 10 first- and second-year NBA players from around the world. The game is set for 7 p.m. MT on Friday, Feb. 12 at Air Canada Centre in Toronto, and will be televised live by TNT.
Lyles (6-10, 234, Kentucky) will be on the World Team roster, joining his teammate and Brazilian native Neto. The 12th overall pick in the 2015 NBA Draft, Lyles has appeared in 45 games (29 starts) this season, averaging 4.7 points and 4.0 rebounds in 18.1 minutes. During a six-game stretch from Jan. 13-22, Lyles averaged 13.3 points on 56.6 percent shooting and 5.2 rebounds in 28.8 minutes. He recorded career highs for points in two straight games, scoring 16 points at Portland on Jan. 13 before scoring his current career-high of 19 points vs. Los Angeles Lakers on Jan. 14. Lyles is averaging 6.3 points and 5.3 rebounds in 24.0 minutes as a starter.
The 6-10 forward becomes the third Canadian on the World Roster, joining Dwight Powell of the Dallas Mavericks and Andrew Wiggins of the Minnesota Timberwolves.
The Jazz are one of just two teams to have three players selected to the event, and one of just three teams to have players chosen for both the U.S. and World teams.
Lyles become the 13th player to participate in the Rising Stars Challenge, joining Bryon Russell (1994), Andrei Kirilenko (2002, 2003), Deron Williams (2006, 2007), Paul Millsap (2007, 2008), Ronnie Brewer (2008), Derrick Favors (2012), Gordon Hayward (2012), Trey Burke (2014, 2015), Danté Exum (2015), Rudy Gobert (2015), Hood (2016) and Neto (2016).
Lyles was added to the World Team in place of Chicago Bulls forward Nikola Mirotic, who is injured and unable to compete.