Thunder's Josh Giddey, Jalen Williams named 2023 NBA Rising Stars for All-Star weekend

Joe Mussatto, Oklahoman
·2 min read
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Thunder sophomore guard Josh Giddey and rookie guard Jalen Williams will play in the Rising Stars tournament at All-Star weekend in Salt Lake City, the NBA announced Tuesday.

Giddey and Williams are among the 28 sophomores, rookies and G Leaguers who will participate in the four-team format.

One team will consist of seven G League players. The other three seven-man teams will be drafted and coached by former NBA players Pau Gasol, Deron Williams and Joakim Noah.

It will be Giddey’s second Rising Stars appearance. Giddey is averaging 16.1 points, 8.0 rebounds and 5.7 assists in his second NBA season. He’s shooting 49% from the field, including 33% from 3-point range.

Williams, the former Santa Clara standout, is averaging 12.1 points, 3.9 rebounds and 2.8 assists per game. The Thunder selected Williams, known as J-Dub, with the 12th pick in the 2022 NBA Draft.

Giddey and Williams represent the 12th and 13th Thunder players to make the Rising Stars game.

The tournament will tip-off at 8 p.m. on Feb. 17 — the Friday of All-Star weekend. TNT will have the broadcast.

More:Takeaways: Golden State Warriors hold off rally from Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Thunder

Oklahoma City's Josh Giddey (3) reacts after hitting a 3-point basket in the fourth quarter during the NBA basketball game between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Dallas Mavericks at the Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, Sunday, Jan.8, 2023.
Oklahoma City's Josh Giddey (3) reacts after hitting a 3-point basket in the fourth quarter during the NBA basketball game between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Dallas Mavericks at the Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, Sunday, Jan.8, 2023.

NBA Rising Stars participants

Rookies

Paolo Banchero, Magic

Jalen Duren, Pistons

AJ Griffin, Hawks

Jaden Ivey, Pistons

Walker Kessler, Jazz

Bennedict Mathurin, Pacers

Keegan Murray, Kings

Andrew Nembhard, Pacers

Jabari Smith Jr., Rockets

Jeremy Sochan, Spurs

Jalen Williams, Thunder

More:How Thunder is among NBA pace leaders thanks in part to Mark Daigneault's 'Minnesota' play

Oklahoma City's Jalen Williams (8) drives to the basket in the first half during the NBA basketball game between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Atlanta Hawks at the Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, Wednesday, Jan.25, 2023.
Oklahoma City's Jalen Williams (8) drives to the basket in the first half during the NBA basketball game between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Atlanta Hawks at the Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, Wednesday, Jan.25, 2023.

Sophomores

Jose Alvarado, Pelicans

Scottie Barnes, Raptors

Josh Giddey, Thunder

Jalen Green, Rockets

Quentin Grimes, Knicks

Bones Hyland, Nuggets

Evan Mobley, Cavaliers

Trey Murphy III, Pelicans

Alperen Sengun, Rockets

Franz Wagner, Magic

More:How did Shai Gilgeous-Alexander grow into an OKC Thunder superstar? Look to July 11, 2019

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Thunder's Josh Giddey, Jalen Williams named 2023 NBA Rising Stars