Mavs' Dereck Lively II Selected for NBA Rising Stars Challenge, Joins Spurs' Victor Wembanyama
DALLAS — The Dallas Mavericks will be well represented at the 2024 NBA All-Star Weekend in Indianapolis between Luka Doncic being named an All-Star starter and now rookie Dereck Lively II being selected for the Rising Stars Challenge.
Other rookies selected for the Rising Stars Challenge include Victor Wembanyama, Chet Holmgren, Scoot Henderson, Bilal Coulibaly, Keyonte George, Jordan Hawkins, Jaime Jaquez Jr., Brandon Miller, Brandin Podziemski, and Cason Wallace.
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Lively recently expressed how he hopes to be among the selected players and shared that he looks forward to having fun on the court if he is invited.
“Hopefully, knock on wood, I’ll be able to make it," Lively said in Atlanta on Friday. "I’ll just try to go out there and have fun and just enjoy the time that I have.”
During his rookie campaign season, Lively averaged 9.2 points, 7.9 rebounds, and 1.4 blocks in 26.0 minutes per game. He quickly solidified himself as the Mavs' long-term starting center, proving instrumental as a rim protector and interior play finisher.
“At the beginning (of the season), a lot of us didn’t know he was capable of all this,” Mavs coach Jason Kidd said. “We miss him when he’s out. He’s been great, but he still has a lot to learn, and he’s up for that challenge. He has this energy about him that he loves to be coached, he wants to be good, he wants to always do the right thing.”
Lively has been a fast learner and a hard worker dating back to when he first arrived to prepare for the NBA Summer League in July. He's continued to make the most of opportunities, solidifying himself as one of the most impactful players on the Mavs despite not even turning 20 until February 12.
It remains to be seen if Kyrie Irving will be among Mavs players selected to participate in All-Star Weekend. However, with him missing 20 games and still remaining sidelined with a right thumb sprain, it could be challenging to be among the two Western Conference guards or wild card players selected.
