Last year, the Pistons had three players on the NBA's Rising Stars team: Cade Cunningham and second-year pros Saddiq Bey and Isaiah Stewart. They have two rookies on this year's team for the first time in franchise history.
Jaden Ivey and Jalen Duren were two of 11 rookies selected to participate in All-Star weekend in Salt Lake City, the NBA announced Tuesday. They'll be joined in the Rising Stars event by 10 second-year players and seven players from the G League.
Ivey, the fifth overall pick, is the only rookie averaging at least 14 points, 4.0 rebounds and 4.0 assists this season. He ranks first in assists (4.5) and third in points (15.1) and has scored in double figures in 43 of his first 48 career games, second in franchise history to only Kelly Tripucka.
Duren, the 13th overall pick, leads all NBA rookies in rebounds and is tied for first with 10 double-doubles. His 8.5 rebounds per game also rank first on the Pistons. He's been even better since entering the starting lineup last month, averaging 10.5 points and 10.5 boards in 19 starts.
The Rising Stars competition, which will feature three teams of seven NBA players and one team of seven G League players, will take place Friday, Feb. 17 at 9 p.m. on TNT.
The Pistons are one of two teams with two rookies in the event, which was established in 1994. The Pacers (Bennedict Mathurin and Andrew Nembhard) are the other.
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