Pair of former Alabama stars selected for NBA Rising Stars event
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It may be the most overlooked event of NBA All-Star weekend but the Rising Stars Challenge is growing in popularity, showcasing some of the young talent from around the league.
This year, former Alabama players JD Davison and Brandon Miller were selected to participate in the event. While Miller will have to miss the event due to injury, Davison will get a chance to represent the Crimson Tide on the big stage.
Here’s what you need to know ahead of the event:
- What: Rising Stars Challenge
- When: Friday, Feb. 14 | 8PM
- Where: Chase Center | 1 Warriors Way, San Francisco, CA 94158
- Watch on TNT | More info
The night will feature four squads playing in a single-elimination tournament to determine a champion. Keep reading to learn more about the former Tide duo + what to expect Friday night.
JD Davison
JD Davison graduated from Calhoun High School where he won a state championship and became the fifth player to ever win two Mr. Basketball awards in Alabama.
After high school, he became the first high-profile signee for Nate Oats at Alabama. Davison played just one season with the Crimson Tide, accounting for 8.5 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 4.3 assists per game + getting named to the SEC All-Freshman Team.
Davison was drafted in the second round by the Boston Celtics with the 53rd overall pick in the 2022 NBA Draft. He has played in 20 total NBA games across the last two seasons and got a championship ring with the team last year.
However, Davison has spent most of his professional career in the G League, under a two-way contract with the Celtics. This season has proved to be a breakout year in the lower division as through 16 games, Davison is averaging:
- 26.5 points
- 8.3 assists
- 1.4 steals
- 1.1 blocks
- 48.3 shooting percentage
That start to the season was good enough to earn him one of the seven G League spots in Friday’s Rising Stars event. The G League team will get a chance to compete against first and second-year players from the NBA.
Brandon Miller
For the second straight season, Miller was selected to participate in the Future Stars game. But he won’t get a chance to put together a better performance than he did last season.
Miller has been ruled out for the rest of the season following surgery to repair a torn scapholunate ligament in his right wrist. Still, it was a stellar start to his sophomore season before the injury.
In just 27 games this season, Miller is averaging:
- 21 points
- 4.9 rebounds
- 3.6 assists
Miller made 3.9 3-pointers per game before his injury, ranking third in the league behind Anthony Edwards and Steph Curry.
