All-Star

Today, the NBA announced that Sacramento Kings guard Tyrese Haliburton has been named to the 2021 NBA Rising Stars U.S. Team roster.

Haliburton has amassed averages of 13.2 points (.494 FG%, .433 3pt%, .833 FT%), 3.6 rebounds, 5.4 assists, 1.4 steals and 30.1 minutes per game in 30 games (2 starts) during the 2020-21 season. The Iowa State alum is ranked third amongst all rookies in the league in scoring, second in assists, sixth in field goal percentage, second in three-point field goal percentage, second in steals and second in minutes per game.

To begin his rookie campaign, the NBA has recognized Haliburton with back-to-back Western Conference Rookie of the Month honors for games played in February and January/December. Haliburton is now the fourth Kings player in franchise history to win at least two NBA Western Conference Rookie of the Month awards and the second to win in consecutive months to start a career (Tyreke Evans – 2009).

NBA Rising Stars, the league’s annual showcase of premier young talent during NBA All-Star, will not be played this year due to the limitation of having All-Star events all on one night. This year, the NBA has acknowledged deserving first- and second-year NBA players by naming 10 individuals to one of two rosters representing the U.S. and World (NBA players from outside the United States). The 20 players were selected by NBA assistant coaches, with each of the league’s 30 teams submitting one ballot per coaching staff.

Joining Haliburton on the U.S Team are Zion Williamson (New Orleans), Ja Morant (Memphis), LaMelo Ball (Charlotte), Anthony Edwards (Minnesota), Tyler Herro (Miami), De’Andre Hunter (Atlanta), Keldon Johnson (San Antonio), Michael Porter Jr. (Denver) and James Wiseman (Golden State).

Sacramento has featured 15 players in the Rookie or Rising Stars Challenge dating back to 1994, with the most recent being current teammates Marvin Bagley III and De’Aaron Fox in 2019. Bogdan Bogdanovic (2018) and Tyreke Evans (2010) hold the distinction as the two rookies in franchise history to have earned MVP honors of the game.

Sacramento Kings All-Star Rookie/Sophomore Game Participants1994 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*, DeMarcus Cousins
2012 DeMarcus Cousins
2013 Isaiah Thomas
2018 Buddy Hield, Bogdan Bogdanovic (MVP), De’Aaron Fox
2019 Marvin Bagley III, Bogdan Bogdanovic, De’Aaron Fox
*Evans named to Sophomore Team but due to injury did not participate

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Haliburton Named to 2021 NBA Rising Stars Roster

While we await word on whether De'Aaron Fox will be named a Western Conference All-Star, the player voting has been revealed.

Swipa won't be named a starter, but that doesn't mean he can't be voted in by coaches as a reserve.

Starters voting results were released on Thursday, unveiling how many votes players received from fans, media and fellow players.

Fox received 192,247 total fan votes — 16th amongst guards — ahead of players such as Jamal Murray, Mike Conley and John Wall.

However, No. 5 received the sixth-most votes in the conference from players, trailing only Stephen Curry, Damian Lillard, Luka Doncic, Devin Booker and Donovan Mitchell.

Starters for both conferences have been announced, with the remaining All-Star reserves being announced next week.

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Players Vote Fox as One of Best Guards in the West

If you had to pick someone to analyze point guards, Magic Johnson would be that guy.

The Hall of Famer voiced his opinion on who should earn their first spot in the All-Star Game.

Fox is in the midst of a career season, averaging a career-high 23.4 points, 6.7 assists and 3.4 rebounds on 47.7 percent shooting.

Team success also factors into an All-Star selection, with Sacramento sitting at 12-12 and in the hunt for a playoff berth.

Fox is the reigning Western Conference Player of the Week, leading Sactown to an undefeated record and 31.0 points, 8.8 assists and 2.8 rebounds during that stretch.

Fans can vote for De'Aaron Fox to make his first All-Star Game as a starter, with reserve selections being chosen following those results.

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Magic Johnson Believes De'Aaron Fox is an All-Star

If there was ever a game to encapsulate an All-Star campaign, it was Monday's win over the New Orleans Pelicans for De'Aaron Fox.

Fox joins Mike Bibby as the only Kings players with multiple 35-point, 10-assist games in a season since the three-point era, according to StatMuse.

"He's amazing," said Richaun Holmes. "Without a doubt in my mind, he's an All-Star."

Swipa is on an absolute tear this season, but especially over the last 10 games.

In that span, Fox is averaging 26.2 points, 4.3 rebounds and 7.7 assists on 48.5 shooting from the field, including a 58.0 percent true shooting percentage.

"There's no better example of Fox's recent willingness to takeover than his last two fourth quarter performances," writes Tim Maxwell of The Kings Herald. "As he's combined to score 34 points in 24 minutes of play on 61% shooting from the floor, while recording a plus-22 in his time on the court.

"Perhaps even more impressive than his overall play has been De'Aaron's outside shooting," continued Maxwell. "He's knocking down 38% of his shots from deep, and he's taking more than double his career-average at 7.3 per game."

“Everything you are seeing on the court is like half of what he gives me in practice," said Western Conference Player of the Month Tyrese Haliburton.

“I think he’s proven he’s taken that next step," Haliburton continued. "He’s been an All-Star this year."

To vote for De'Aaron Fox to make the All-Star Game, visit NBA.com/Vote or click here for more information.

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Fox Makes All-Star Case with Historic Performance

On the heels of an exciting All-Star Weekend for Buddy Hield, it’s back to business for him and his squad.

Buddy Buckets took home the 3-Point Contest crown on Saturday following a thrilling finish.

“It was one of those things you have on your bucket list as a shooter - growing up as a kid, watching the three-point shootout and getting to hoist that trophy up in the air,” said Hield.

No. 24 also received high praise from the Bahamas Prime Minister Hubert Minnis following his achievement.

“For my country, it was big for them,” said the Bahamas native. “Me dedicating the trophy to them and all the people it was fun and I really loved it.”

Now that All-Star Weekend is in the books, the Kings returned to the practice court on Wednesday ahead of a Thursday night matchup with the Memphis Grizzlies to tip off the second part of the 2019-20 campaign.

Buddy and the squad are well aware that this is a prime opportunity to regain some positive momentum in a crucial stretch of games.

“We had a rough start to the season hopefully we can finish strong and make a good push at the end,” he said. “We have a tough Memphis squad…it starts with them.”

Sacramento squares off with Memphis at home on Thursday night before hitting the road for the following four contests.

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Buddy and the Squad Looking to Lock In for Second Half

With three Kings representing in the Rising Stars contest this year, Sacramento had representation on both sides of the floor. Bogdan Bogdanovic suited up for the World Team, while De’Aaron Fox and Marvin Bagley III laced up on Team USA.

Fox actually started the game at center, even taking the opening tip-off. He managed to get an assist off of the tip and it set the stage for many more to come.

Swipa finished the contest with 16 assists, five steals and just two points. That may seem odd, but it was all planned.

When asked if he was going for the John Wall Rising Stars assist record of 22 – Fox admitted, “I told him too [Donovan Mitchell]. I was going for the assist record.”

Fortunate for No. 5 he had a familiar face to lob those flashy passes to.

Marvin Bagley III may have been putting his name in the ring for the 2020 NBA Dunk Contest, finishing his first Rising Stars game with seven dunks, 14 points, five rebounds and three steals.

He pulled out a jaw-dropping windmill dunk that had the crowd on their feet.

Followed by dunk-after-dunk with help from Fox and even the opposing (kind of) team.

The 2018 Rising Stars MVP, Bogdan Bogdanovic held his own as the solo Kings player on the World Team.

Teammates will be teammates, however, and that was no exception when MBIII had a chance for a 360-dunk with five seconds left in the game.

Bogi helped Marv out by committing a “turnover” so Marv could shine. BB8 shined in his own right as well. adding 15 points, five rebounds and six assists.

Team USA won the official contest, but let’s be honest, we all won getting to watch the Scores play some fun basketball in Charlotte.

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Kings of Queen City at Rising Stars

De’Aaron’s personality was on full display at the NBA All-Star Rising Stars Media Availability on Friday in Charlotte.

We learned a few things from the sophomore star, like his favorite shoes are the Kobe IX’s, his favorite emoji is the face palm, and he is hype for his rookie teammate, Marvin Bagley III.

Speaking at media availability, Fox weighed in on No. 35’s season so far.

"It's been great. He's [Marvin] coming off the bench but he's continuing to get better. He grows every day. He comes in willing to learn, he asks questions, the sky is the limit for him. He's going to continue to get better. I think we haven't seen anything just yet."

"I wouldn't say it [Marvin's game] surprised me. He was the number two pick for a reason."

The Duke product is averaging 13.3 points, 6.9 rebounds at one assist per game, and the team is 11-7 since his return from injury in early January.

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Fox is Hype for MBIII’s Potential

On February 12th, 2019 the NBA and FIBA announced the fifth annual Basketball Without Borders Global Camp.

Kings sophomore shooting guard Bogdan Bogdonović will join 2019 NBA All-Stars Nikola Jokić and Nikola Vučević, as well as Phoenix Suns rookie Deandre Ayton to coach the top high school age campers from Africa, the Americas, Asia and Europe.

Additionally, Bogi will be joined by numerous NBA and WNBA veterans and Hall of Famers such as Micheal Ray Richardson, Allison Feaster and Festus Ezeli as well as select players participating in NBA All-Star 2019.

The camp will feature 10 current prospects from NBA Academies, and five prospects who participated in The NBA Academies Women’s Program. Both academies focus on networking top male and female prospects from outside of the U.S.

Players and coaches will lead the campers through a variety of activities on and off the court, including movement efficiency, skill development stations, shooting and skills competitions, 5-on-5 games, and daily life skills seminars focusing on health, leadership and communication.

To follow the camp use the hashtag #BWBGlobal on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. To find out more about NBA Academies visit nbaacademy.nba.com and follow on Instagram (@nbaacademy).

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