Rockets' Jabari Smith Jr. to Compete in Rising Stars Event During NBA All-Star Weekend
HOUSTON — The NBA announced Tuesday afternoon that second-year forward Jabari Smith Jr. will compete in the Panini Rising Stars event. The annual game will take place on Feb. 16 as part of the league's All-Star Weekend in Indianapolis.
Smith has started all 41 games for the Houston Rockets this season, averaging 13.8 points and 8.7 rebounds. The news came a day after Smith helped the Rockets take a 135-119 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers. He finished with 18 points, nine rebounds and four assists.
Smith's performance against the Lakers came after the former Auburn prospect returned from a four-game absence due to an ankle injury.
Rockets forward Jabari Smith Jr. completes a dunk on Chicago Bulls forward Patrick Williams (44) during the first quarter at United Center.
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Among sophomores this season, Smith ranks eighth in scoring, third in rebounding and third in total 3-pointers made. He is shooting 47.8 percent from the floor and 38.3 percent from 3-point range this season after shooting 40.8 percent as a rookie in 2022-23, including 30.7 percent from behind the arc.
He is the first player in NBA history to have reached his totals of points, rebounds, blocks and 3-pointers made through the first 120 games played of a career.
The Panini Rising Stars will feature four seven-player teams competing in a mini-tournament consisting of three games. The player pool will have 11 NBA rookies, 10 second-year NBA players and seven NBA G League players.
The 21 NBA players, selected by NBA assistant coaches, will be drafted onto three seven-player teams. The seven NBA G League players, selected by the league office, will comprise the fourth team.
All three games in the Panini Rising Stars will be played to a final target score, meaning each game will end with a made basket or a made free throw instead of the clock running out. The semifinal games will be played to a final target score of 40. The championship will feature a final target score of 25.
