Written by
The Associated Press
NEW YORK, NY - Kings second-year center will be Sacramento's only representative during the NBA's Rising Stars Challenge to be held during All-Star weekend.
All-Star Blake Griffin and rookie guards Kyrie Irving and Ricky Rubio headline the list of 18 players chosen.
In this year's new format, first- and second-year players will be mixed in the game on Friday, Feb. 24 in Orlando. TNT analysts Charles Barkley and Shaquille O'Neal will serve as general managers and draft players for their teams.
Other second-year players chosen Wednesday were John Wall (Washington), DeMarcus Cousins (Sacramento), Landry Fields (New York), Paul George (Indiana), Gordon Hayward (Utah), Greg Monroe (Detroit), Tiago Splitter (San Antonio) and Evan Turner (Philadelphia).
The rookies joining No. 1 pick Irving and Rubio are Kemba Walker (Charlotte), MarShon Brooks (New Jersey), Brandon Knight (Detroit), Kawhi Leonard (San Antonio), Markieff Morris (Phoenix), Tristan Thompson (Cleveland) and Derrick Williams (Minnesota).
Kings rookies Jimmer Fredette, selected by the Milwaukee Bucks with the seventh overall pick in last year's draft, and Isaiah Thomas were left off the roster. Fredette has been inconsistent, particularly on defense, but averaging 8.7 points, 22.1 minutes, per game and shooting 39.8 percent from three point land.
Thomas, the draft's last player selected overall from the University of Washington, has been a bright spot averaging 7.0 points, 2.5 assists, 1.2 turnovers and 17 minutes per game.
The Associated Press