OKLAHOMA CITY, Jan. 30, 2024 – Oklahoma City Thunder forward/center Chet Holmgren, guard Cason Wallace and guard/forward Jalen Williams have been named to the player pool for the 2024 Rising Stars teams, it was announced today by the NBA.
Holmgren has appeared in 47 games (all starts) this season and averaged 16.7 points, 7.5 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 2.55 blocks in 30.0 minutes per game, while shooting 53.3% from the field. His field goal percentage leads all rookies, while his points and blocks rank second and his rebounds rank third.
The Minnesota native was named Western Conference Rookie of the Month for October/November and December. He became the first player in NBA history to average 50/50/90 shooting splits and score 100-plus points through his first seven career NBA games and on Dec. 18 against Memphis, he became the first rookie since Tim Duncan to have consecutive seven-block games. He has 33 games this season with at least two blocks, tied for the most in the NBA.
Wallace has seen time in 47 games (seven starts) and averaged 6.7 points, 2.3 rebounds and 1.4 assists in 21.1 minutes per game. He is shooting 42.3% from beyond the arc, second among all rookies.
Through the first 25 games of the season, Wallace led the NBA in three-point percentage at 50.0%. He became the third rookie in NBA history (Jayson Tatum and Klay Thompson) to connect on 50.0% or better from long distance through his first 25 career games (min. 50 attempts).
Holgmren and Wallace are two of three rookies that have appeared in all of their team’s games this season.
Williams has appeared in 44 games (all starts) and averaged 18.7 points on 53.9% shooting from the field, 4.5 assists, 4.0 rebounds and 1.07 steals in 31.9 minutes per game. He is shooting 45.0% from the three-point line, fifth in the NBA, and he ranks second among sophomore players in points per game and sixth in field goal percentage.
The 2023 All-Rookie First Team member is one of two players in the NBA currently averaging at least 18 points while shooting at least 50% from the field and 45% from the three-point line. He is averaging 6.8 points in the fourth quarter and has scored 10-plus points in the fourth quarter 10 times this season, both of which lead all second-year players. Since Christmas, he is averaging 20.2 points, 5.3 assists and 4.0 rebounds, while shooting 57.7% from the field and 54.3% from beyond the arc.
This is the second time in Thunder history to have three players named Rising Stars (2008-09).
The 2024 Panini Rising Stars game will be played on Friday, Feb. 16 at 8 p.m. CT at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.