From the 2022 and 2023 draft lotteries, nine NBA teams feature multiple top-14 picks on their current rosters. Within that group, only New Orleans and Portland had each of their lotto selections initially chosen to participate in the 2024 Panini Rising Stars event, with Pelicans rookie Jordan Hawkins and sophomore guard Dyson Daniels selected, among the first pool of 21 total first- and second-year NBA players. Unfortunately, Daniels sustained a torn lateral meniscus this month in his left knee, so he won’t be able to play in Friday's showcase of young pros. Still, the honor was a meaningful acknowledgement of what Daniels and Hawkins have contributed at this early stage of their NBA careers.
“They are players who work extremely hard,” Pelicans Coach Willie Green said. “They get on the floor and make an instant impact. Then off the court, they are extremely high-character. It’s what we love about all of our guys, that they’re good dudes. It’s fun to come to work when you have both hard workers and high-character players.”
The No. 8 overall pick in 2022, Daniels ranks 11th among all NBA players in steals (through Feb. 12) at 1.4 per game, in the same neighborhood among the leaders as No. 10 Giannis Antetokounmpo (also 1.4) and sixth-place Paul George (1.6). Hawkins, who was chosen 14th by the Pelicans in 2023, is ninth among rookies in scoring average (9.6) and second in three-pointers per game (2.0, trailing only Charlotte’s Brandon Miller at 2.3). New Orleans obtained the eighth pick in ’22 via a trade with the Lakers three years prior; last year’s No. 14 selection came after the Pelicans finished with a winning record (42-40) but were knocked out of the play-in tournament by Oklahoma City. Speaking of the Thunder, three of their four recent lottery picks will participate in Rising Stars (Chet Holmgren, Jalen Williams, Cason Wallace), the most invitees for any NBA team.
Last year, then-second-year Pelicans guard Jose Alvarado authored a memorable performance at Rising Stars, winning the MVP award by leading his squad to a championship, including draining the event-clinching three-point basket. Prior to Daniels’ injury, Alvarado provided encouragement and advice to his younger teammates (Daniels is 20; Hawkins is 21), while adding one request.
“I told them to enjoy the whole moment,” Alvarado said. “You’re at All-Star weekend – we used to watch it as kids growing up, so enjoy every moment of it. Also bring that (MVP) trophy back home. I got it last year, so bring it back.”
“I wouldn’t go as far as telling them to win the MVP – of course I’d love it if they did – but I just want them to have a good experience,” said typically low-key Herb Jones, a Rising Stars selection in 2022.
Like Green, Jones credited the diligent work ethic of Daniels and Hawkins as one reason why they were honored by the NBA as Rising Stars invitees.
“It’s the work those guys are putting in,” Jones said. “It’s paying off in some ways.”
“They are really humble, hard-working young guys,” center Jonas Valanciunas said. “The future is bright for those two. If they keep doing what they do, they’re going to be great players.”