All-Star

Ryan Wolf

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ICYMI: Devin Booker at All-Star 2020

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2020 NBA All-Star Uniforms

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Prior to playing with the World Team for the 2019 MTN Dew Ice Rising Stars challenge, Deandre Ayton sat down with the media. 

HOW MUCH ARE YOU LOOKING FORWARD TO TONIGHT’S FESTIVITIES?

“I’m really looking forward to it and I’m really looking to have a lot of fun.”

ARE YOU STARTING TO GET MORE COMFORTABLE?

“Yeah, I’m starting to get a hang of this. Just being ready for the next game every day. Play hard knowing I’ve got to bring it.”

HAS IT BEEN FUN SEEING THE GUYS YOU WENT THROUGH THE DRAFT PROCESS WITH AGAIN?

“There’s times when we’ve got to think back that we’re human. Off the court we can feel each other’s vibes and energy and just enjoy each other instead of just being competitive all the time.”

WHAT ABOUT YOUR GAME HAVE YOU SEEN REALLY IMPROVE?

“I’d definitely say being dominant down low. I’ve been more consistent down there. Just be discipline, not really falling in love with the jump shot. Just trying to be a player in rhythm.”

WHAT GIVES YOU MORE PLEASURE: TO BLOCK A SHOT OR TO DUNK?

“I’d say most definitely a dunk. It’s a lot of emotion. It’s a game changer. It brings a lot of energy, so it’s contagious.”

ARE YOU GOING TO BE SHOOTING THREES TONIGHT?

“I’m going to try. I’ve got some great point guards on this team to feed the Big Fella the ball a little bit.”

“There’s a lot of great overseas players out here. I guess our grind is different. We work very hard to get here and it’s time to showcase what we’ve got. Looking at the two teams, we are the better looking team, I think, future wise.”

DO YOU REMEMBER THE FIRST TIME YOU EVER DUNKED?

“Seventh grade at a YMCA in a little basketball tournament. I was probably the tallest kid there and I just cheated the passing lane and I dunked the ball so hard my hand was numb the whole game… I tried to play it cool. My coach said act like you’ve been there before.”

IF YOU WEREN’T A PROFESSIONAL ATHLETE, WHAT CAREER PATH WOULD YOU HAVE TAKEN?

“I would definitely be a comedian. I’m pretty funny.”

IF YOU COULD PLAY WITH FIVE INTERNATIONAL PLAYERS, WHO WOULD THEY BE?

“Giannis [Antetokounmpo], JoJo [Joel Embiid], me, Luka [Doncic] and I need a shooter… I’d probably go [Marco] Belinelli or [Bogdan] Bogdanovic.”

WHY DID YOU CHOOSE TO WEAR THE NUMBER 22?

“Steve Nash, the greatest, had number 13 so I had to get number 22. But the thing is, I’m about to work my butt off to make this number valuable.”

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Deandre Ayton 2019 MTN Dew Ice Rising Stars Media Availability

PHOENIX – Phoenix Suns guard Isaiah Thomas will be one of eight participants to take part in the 2015 Taco Bell Skills Challenge, the league announced today. The event will be part of State Farm All-Star Saturday Night at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, N.Y., on Feb. 14.

The Taco Bell Skills Challenge, which will be televised exclusively on TNT, will feature a head-to-head, bracket-style tournament format for the first time. The eight-player field will compete in a three-round, obstacle-course challenge that tests dribbling, passing, agility and shooting skills. The head-to-head format calls for two players to compete simultaneously on an identical course with the fastest finisher reaching the next round.

Thomas will face Washington Wizards guard John Wall in the first round with the winner of that showdown facing the winner of Philadelphia 76ers guard Michael Carter-Williams and Atlanta Hawks guard Jeff Teague in the second round. Also competing in the event will be Utah Jazz guard Trey Burke, Milwaukee Bucks guard Brandon Knight, Chicago Bulls guard/forward Jimmy Butler and Toronto Raptors guard Kyle Lowry.

Thomas will become the fourth Suns player to compete in the Skills Challenge on All-Star Saturday Night, joining Stephon Marbury (2003), Steve Nash (2005, 2006, 2010) and Goran Dragic (2014). Nash is a two-time winner of the event, taking the title in 2005 and 2010.

Thomas, who along with his Suns’ teammates take on the Portland Trail Blazers tonight at 8:30 p.m. (Phoenix time) on TNT, is averaging 15.4 points while shooting 43.0 percent from the field, a career-high 40.0 percent from three-point range and 87.6 percent from the free throw line this season. I.T.’s scoring average of 15.4 points ranks second in the NBA among reserves, and his 87.6 percent mark from the free throw line ranks 11th among all qualified players in the league.

This will be Thomas’ second time participating in an event at All-Star Weekend as he also played in the 2013 BBVA Rising Stars Challenge in Houston, scoring 18 points on 7-of-10 shooting in addition to recording a game-high-tying 10 assists for the victorious Team Chuck.

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Isaiah Thomas to Compete in 2015 Skills Challenge

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All‑Star

ICYMI: Devin Booker at All-Star 2020

2020 NBA All-Star Uniforms

Deandre Ayton 2019 MTN Dew Ice Rising Stars Media Availability

Isaiah Thomas to Compete in 2015 Skills Challenge