SACRAMENTO, CA ---- Sacramento Kings guard Isaiah Thomas was named to the BBVA Rising Stars Challenge today by the Honorary Commissioner, TNT’s Kenny Smith, who also added Ricky Rubio of the Minnesota Timberwolves to the player pool. Prior to last year’s Draft, Smith added Norris Cole of the Miami Heat and Jeremy Lin of the New York Knicks. Thomas was selected by Charles Barkley on Team Chuck. This is the fourth straight year in which a Kings player has been selected to participate in the Rookie Challenge. Thomas is the 11th Kings player to be named to participate in the All-Star Rookie Game.
In his sophomore season, Thomas is averaging 11.6 points (third on the team), 1.8 rebounds, a team-leading 3.2 assists and 24.3 minutes per game in 47 games of which he started 30. He is shooting 42.8 from the field, 31.1 from the three-point arc and 84.9 from the free throw line. Thomas has scored 20 or more points in eight games and 30 or more once, including a career-high 34 points versus Miami on January 12. As a starter, Thomas is averaging 12.7 points (42.9 FG%, 31.0 3pt%, 82.6 FT%), 1.9 rebounds and 3.6 assists per game in 30 contests this season.
Sacramento Kings All-Star Rookie Game Participants
1994 - Bobby Hurley (Honorary Coach)
1995 - Brian Grant, Michael Smith
1996 - Tyus Edney
1998 - Michael Stewart
2000 - Jason Williams
2002 - Hedo Turkoglu
2010 - Tyreke Evans (MVP), Omri Casspi
2011 - Tyreke Evans (did not play, injured), DeMarcus Cousins
2012 - DeMarcus Cousins