Marcus Smart Selected For 2016 Rising Stars Challenge

Former OSU Cowboy-turned-Boston Celtic Marcus Smart was selected to participate in the 2016 Rising Stars Challenge, a Friday, Feb. 12th event that kicks off All-Star Weekend.

The game showcases 10 first- or second-year players from the United States against 10 first- or second-year players from around the world. The NBA’s assistant coaches chose the rosters for both teams.

Smart is joined on the U.S Team by guards Jordan Clarkson (Lakers), Rodney Hood (Jazz), Zach LaVine (Timberwolves), Elfrid Payton (Magic) and D’Angelo Russell (Lakers) and posts Nerlens Noel (76ers), Jahlil Okafor (76ers), Jabari Parker (Bucks), and Karl-Anthony Towns (Timberwolves).

The World team consists of guards Bojan Bogdanovic (Nets), Mario Hezonja (Magic), Emmanuel Mudiay (Nuggets), Raul Neto (Jazz) and Andrew Wiggins (Timberwolves) and posts Clint Capela (Rockets), Nikola Jokic (Nuggets), Nikola Mirotic (Bulls), Kristaps Porzingis (Knicks), and Dwight Powell (Mavericks).

The game will be televised on TNT at 8:00 p.m. CT.

Last year Team World scored a 121-112 victory behind Canadian Andrew Wiggins’ 22 points and French center Rudy Gobert’s 18-point 12-rebound double-double.

Zach LaVine and Victor Oladipo led the U.S. Team with 22 apiece but the Americans were out-sized by Gobert. The addition of Towns and Okafor should help, although the World Team adds 7-foot-3 Latvian sensation Kristaps Porzingis.