OKLAHOMA CITY, Jan. 31, 2023 – Oklahoma City Thunder guards Josh Giddey and Jalen Williams have been selected as 2023 Rising Stars, it was announced today by the NBA.
Giddey has played in 45 games (all starts) this season and averaged 16.1 points (second on the team), 8.0 rebounds and 5.7 assists in 30.8 minutes per game. His assists rank second among sophomores, while his scoring ranks fourth and his rebounds third.
On Dec. 27 versus the Spurs, Giddey dished out his 500th career assist, becoming the second-youngest player ever [LeBron James] to reach 1,000 points, 500 rebounds and 500 assists, doing so in only 83 games played. He has tallied 18 double-doubles and two triple-doubles this season, both of which lead all sophomores.
Williams has seen action in 46 games (33 starts) in his rookie season and is averaging 12.1 points, 3.9 rebounds, 2.8 assists and 1.07 steals in 28.7 minutes per game. He is shooting 51.4% from the field, which leads all rookies, while his assists rank fourth, his steals second and scoring fifth.
The Santa Clara product has scored in double figures 32 times this season, including a streak from Dec. 10 - Jan. 3, in which he scored 10-plus points in 11 of 12 games. He was named Western Conference Rookie of the Month for games played in October and November, becoming the third Thunder rookie to earn Rookie of the Month honors.
This marks the second Rising Stars honor for Giddey, as he and Williams are the 12th and 13th players in Thunder history to be named to a Rising Stars team.
The 2023 Jordan Rising Stars game will be played on Friday, Feb. 17 at 8 p.m. CT at Vivint Arena in Salt Lake City.