AUBURN HILLS, Mich. – The National Basketball Association announced today that Detroit Pistons players Brandon Knight and Andre Drummond have been selected for the 2013 BBVA Rising Stars Challenge to be held on Friday, Feb. 15, in Houston during NBA All-Star 2013.
Knight has appeared in 45 games (all starts) this season and is averaging career-highs in points (14.0), rebounds (3.5) and assists (4.3). He ranks second on the Pistons in scoring, first in assists and third in minutes played (31.9). The eighth overall pick in the 2011 NBA Draft from Kentucky, Knight ranks third among sophomore point guards in scoring and his 78 three-pointers are second-most among all sophomore guards. He recorded career-highs in points (31), field goals (12) and tied his career-high five three pointers at Orlando (1/2713). Knight also dished out a career-high 12 assists vs. the Magic (11/16/12).
Drummond has seen action in 45 games (no starts) this season and leads all rookies in rebounds per game (7.6), while also ranking first in field-goal percentage (61%), second in blocks (1.6), eighth in points (7.6) and fourth in steals (0.9). Drafted ninth overall in the 2012 NBA Draft, Drummond has collected more rebounds (340) and blocks (73) than any rookie this season. He also leads all rookies with eight double-doubles this season and is one of only three centers in the NBA this season with 70-plus blocks and 40-plus steals (Joakim Noah, Marc Gasol). Drummond recorded 18 points and a career-high 18 rebounds vs. Milwaukee (1/29) to become the first Pistons rookie to have at least 18 points and 18 rebounds since Terry Tyler scored 24 points and grabbed 18 rebounds vs. New Orleans on 10/17/78. He also became the first NBA rookie to record 18 points and 18 rebounds off the bench since the NBA began recording bench points during the 1970-71 season.
The BBVA Rising Stars Challenge -- televised live nationally on TNT at 9 p.m. ET and broadcast live on ESPN Radio, with live audio also available on NBA.com in multiple languages -- features two teams each consisting of nine rookies and sophomores mixed together, drafted from a pool selected by the NBA’s assistant coaches.
Joining Knight from the Sophomore class are: Kenneth Faried (Denver Nuggets), Kyrie Irving (Cleveland Cavaliers), Kawhi Leonard (San Antonio Spurs), Chandler Parsons (Houston Rockets), Klay Thompson (Golden State Warriors), Tristan Thompson (Cleveland Cavaliers), Nikola Vucevic (Orlando Magic), and Kemba Walker (Charlotte Bobcats).
Other rookies joining Drummond include: Harrison Barnes (Warriors), Bradley Beal (Washington Wizards), Anthony Davis (New Orleans), Michael Kidd-Gilchrist (Bobcats), Damian Lillard (Trail Blazers), Alexey Shved (Minnesota Timberwolves), Dion Waiters (Cavaliers), and Tyler Zeller (Cavaliers).
This marks the second straight year rookies and sophomores will be mixed together on teams. The BBVA Rising Stars Challenge Draft is scheduled for Thursday, Feb. 7, televised exclusively on TNT at 7 p.m. ET. TNT analysts Charles Barkley and Shaquille O’Neal will again serve as the general managers of TEAM CHUCK and TEAM SHAQ. Last year in Orlando, Irving netted a game-high 34 points and MVP honors as he led TEAM CHUCK over TEAM SHAQ 146-133.
Following the announcement of each team on Feb. 7, for the first time ever fans will be able to vote online from both their computer and mobile device for the starters of each team. The starting lineups will be determined by the players garnering the top votes for their respective positions, with two backcourt and three frontcourt spots for each team. The announcement of the starting lineup will be made in broadcast and in-arena on the night of the game.
The head coaches for both teams will be the lead assistant coaches from the 2013 NBA All-Star Game coaching staffs. The East and West coaching staffs will be determined by the best record in each conference through games played Feb. 3. The Chicago Bulls’ and Oklahoma City’s staffs, by virtue of having helmed the sidelines of the 2012 All-Star game, are not eligible to coach this year’s game.
A limited number of tickets to the BBVA Rising Stars Challenge are now available. Fans can visit rockets.com or NBA.com/allstar2013 to purchase.
NBA All-Star brings together the top NBA players and performers for a week of competition, community service and world-class entertainment. Among the many other exciting All-Star events is the State Farm All-Star Saturday Night featuring Sears Shooting Stars, Taco Bell Skills Challenge, Foot Locker Three-Point Contest, and Sprite Slam Dunk. Other events at NBA All-Star 2013 include the Sprint NBA All-Star Celebrity Game and NBA All-Star Jam Session.
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