Three Hornets to play in NBA Rising Stars game
Three bright spots in the Charlotte Hornets’ youth moment will get a chance to showcase their skills at All Star weekend in Chicago. This will be the first time in franchise history where Buzz City has three players representing Charlotte in the Rising Stars game.
Devonte’ Graham, P.J. Washington and Miles Bridges were the players selected from the Hornets to the Friday night All Star event. The last player to represent Charlotte in the Rising Stars game was Frank Kaminsky in 2016.
Devonte’ Graham
This was a given. Anyone who has watched NBA basketball this year had a feeling Graham would end up in the Rising Stars game. In his second season in the NBA and on the Hornets, Graham is averaging 18.1 points and 7.8 assists a game. At the All Star break, Graham is in the running to win the Most Improved Player Award. Victor Oladipo won the award last year.
Graham will also competing in the three-point content this weekend. He ranks top-4 in three-point shooting this season.
PJ Washington
“With the 12th pick in the 2019 NBA Draft, the Charlotte Hornets select PJ Washington, Forward from Kentucky.” When the Hornets drafted PJ in last year’s draft Buzz City had some mixed emotions. Most knew he was a good player, but was he what the Hornets needed? Halfway through his first season it seems he is fitting into his role quite nicely. If you didn’t feel good about Washington after the Hornets drafted him, I’m sure your opinion changed after he scored 27 points and shot 7-11 from the three-point line in his rookie debut. Washington’s 27 points were the most in a season debut since Gordan Giricek scored 29 for the Grizzlies in 2002. Washington’s seven 3-pointers broke the all-time record for a career debut. The previous record was five by Jake Layman in 2016 with the Trail Blazers and Donyell Marshall in 1994 on the Timberwolves.
PJ Washington averages 11.7 points and 5.5 rebounds a game this season and ranks near the top in every statistical category among rookies.
Miles Bridges
Just like Graham, Miles Bridges is in his sophomore season. Drafted out of Michigan State, Bridges is a player that brings energy to the floor with his show-stopping dunks and keeps the defense on their heels as he is a threat from anywhere beyond the arc. This isn’t Bridges first appearance in All Star weekend. As a rookie last season, Bridges was a participant in the dunk contest.
This season Bridges averages 13 points and 5.5 rebounds a game.
Although the Hornets lost Kemba Walker in the offseason, the young talent on the Hornets gives fans something to cheer about and look forward to. The Hornets bought out the contracts of Marvin Williams and Michael Kidd-Gilchrist and a new future appears to be on the horizon.
At the All Star break Charlotte currently sits 11th in the East at 18-36. Their next game is February 20 at 8p.m. at Chicago. Chicago currently sit half a game ahead of the Hornets as the tenth seed.
Rising Stars Game Info
Where: TNT
When: Friday, February 14 9p.m.ET
U.S. Roster
Miles Bridges (Charlotte), Wendell Carter Jr. (Chicago, injured will not play), Devonte’ Graham (Charlotte), Tyler Herro (Miami, injured will not play), Jaren Jackson Jr. (Memphis), Ja Morant (Memphis), Kendrick Nunn (Miami), Eric Paschall (Golden State), Collin Sexton (Cleveland), PJ Washington (Charlotte), Zion Williamson (New Orleans), Trae Young (Atlanta)
World Roster
Nickeil Alexander-Walker (New Orleans), Deandre Ayton (Phoenix, injured will not play), RJ Barrett (New York), Brandon Clarke (Memphis), Luka Doncic (Dallas), Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (Oklahoma City), Rui Hachimura (Washington), Nicolo Melli (New Orlenas), Svi Mykhailiuk (Detroit), Josh Okogie (Minnesota), Moritz Wagner (Washington)
Want to hear more about the Hornets in the Rising Stars game? Listen to The Rookies on Fox Sports Radio Charlotte Saturday morning from 10-11!