Magic teammates Victor Oladipo, Elfrid Payton picked for Rising Stars Challenge
The NBA announced Wednesday that Orlando Magic guards Victor Oladipo and Elfrid Payton have been among the players selected for the Rising Stars Challenge, which will take place next month during All-Star Weekend.
Oladipo and Payton will be part of the 10-man roster representing the United States against a team of international players. The rosters were selected by the league's assistant coaches, with one ballot for each of the 30 NBA teams.
Thanks to all the coaches who voted me into the #BBVACompassRisingStars game! Appreciate the support!
— elfrid payton (@elfrid) January 28, 2015
Oladipo took part in the game last year when it was staged under a different format. This year's game will still feature first-year and second-year players, including all four participants -- with Oladipo being among them -- in the slam dunk contest.
Joining Oladipo and Payton on the U.S. team are Trey Burke of the Utah Jazz, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope of the Detroit Pistons, Michael Carter-Williams and Nerlens Noel of the Philadelphia 76ers, Zach LaVine and Shabazz Muhammad of the Minnesota Timberwolves, Mason Plumlee of the Brooklyn Nets and Cody Zeller of the Charlotte Hornets. The team will be coached by Golden State Warriors assistant and onetime Miami Heat head coach Alvin Gentry.
The Rising Stars Challenge is scheduled for Feb. 13 at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn.
You can follow Ken Hornack on Twitter @HornackFSFla or email him at khornack32176@gmail.com.
