Sixers’ Georges Niang Doesn’t Get Wish for All-Star Weekend

The three-point competition participants have been announced, and Georges Niang is not on the list.

The NBA waited a while to announce the participants for the 2023 three-point competition during All-Star weekend. While the league has yet to make anything official regarding the participants for the event, Shams Charania of The Athletic revealed the players who will be involved this weekend.

Boston Celtics’ Jayson Tatum, Sacramento Kings’ Kevin Huerter, Miami Heat’s Tyler Herro, Indiana Pacers’ Tyrese Haliburton, and Buddy Hield, along with Portland Trail Blazers’ Damian Lillard and Anfernee Simons, and Utah Jazz’s Lauri Markkanen are all reportedly involved with the three-point competition.

Therefore, Philadelphia 76ers forward Georges Niang will not get his wish to participate.

Back in early January, Niang was asked about the possibility of participating in one of the NBA’s biggest events at All-Star weekend this season. As Niang admitted he’s always been “obsessed” with All-Star weekend and even embraced the idea of returning to his former playing city in Utah to participate, he definitely had an interest in getting involved if asked.

“Absolutely, I would definitely consider that,” Niang said back in December. “I think that would be a cool event. I’ve never done something like that, so I definitely would be excited to take part in that.”

It’s unclear even to Niang how participants are chosen. Obviously, it would start with players being among the top shooters from beyond the arc in the league. Niang’s shooting percentage from deep is up there. So far this season, he’s knocked down 41 percent of his threes. He ranks 14th at the forward position, just behind Lauri Markkanen, who is a participant.

Unfortunately, the veteran won’t get his wish to participate this year. As All-Star weekend approaches, it’s becoming clear Joel Embiid might be the only representative for the Sixers, as he was voted in as an All-Star a couple of weeks back.

Justin Grasso covers the Philadelphia 76ers for All76ers, a Sports Illustrated channel. You can follow him for live updates on Twitter: @JGrasso_.