RISING STARS
Here are the rosters for the Rising Stars Challenge:
UNITED STATES
Trey Burke, Jazz
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Pistons
Michael Carter-Williams, 76ers
Zach LaVine, Timberwolves
Shabazz Muhammad, Timberwolves
Nerlens Noel, 76ers
Victor Oladipo, Magic
Elfrid Payton, Magic
Mason Plumlee, Nets
Cody Zeller, Hornets
Coach: Alvin Gentry, Warriors
WORLD
Steven Adams, Thunder
Giannis Antetokounmpo, Bucks
Bojan Bogdanovic, Nets
Gorgui Dieng, Timberwolves
Dante Exum, Jazz
Rudy Gobert, Jazz
Nikola Mirotic, Bulls
Kelly Olynyk, Celtics
Dennis Schroder, Hawks
Andrew Wiggins, Timberwolves
Coach: Kenny Atkinson, Hawks
Add another Hawk to the list of All-Star participants.
Second-year point guard Dennis Schroder was selected to play in the Rising Stars Challenge at next month’s All-Star game festivities in New York. It’s another sign how far the young player has come since his rookie season.
The German-born Schroder will compete for the World team against the U.S. team in the new format of the game that features first- and second-year players. The game will be played Feb. 13 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn. TNT will televise the game at 9 p.m.
Hawks lead assistant coach Kenny Atkinson will coach the World team.
“It’s a huge honor,” Schroder said before the Hawks played host to the Nets on Wednesday. “I think it’s great for the Hawks organization to have people playing at the All-Star Weekend. I’m excited to play over there. Kenny Atkinson is my coach, and that is great.”
In addition to Mike Budenholzer and his staff coaching the Eastern Conference All-Stars, Kyle Korver committed to participate in the 3-point Shootout. All-Star reserves will be announced Thursday so there figures to be more Hawks headed to the Big Apple.
“It’s great for Dennis,” Budenholzer said. “He’s worked so hard, really, the whole time he’s been here. He had a great summer. He’s growing and improving in so many ways, on and off the court. I’m really happy for him. Well deserved.”
The 21-year-old guard is averaging 8.1 points, 3.3 assists and 2.0 rebounds in 17.7 minutes in 43 games, including five starts. In the five starts, Schroder averaged 11.6 points, 6.4 assists and 2.8 rebounds in 26.4 minutes, and the Hawks have a 5-0 record. As a rookie, Schroder averaged 3.7 points and 1.9 assists in 13.1 minutes in 49 games.
“My first year was tough, but I worked hard, played summer league and national team,” Schroder said. “I’m excited that I get the opportunity. It’s a lot for me.”
Schroder said he was in the middle of his pregame nap Wednesday afternoon when news broke of his selection. He said when he awoke his phone was full of missed text messages and calls. A quick look at Twitter, and he discovered the good news.
Pero Antic was selected for the Rising Stars Challenge last year in his first NBA season. However, he was unable to play because of an injury.
Locally, Pistons second-year guard Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, out of the University of Georgia, was selected for the U.S. team.
