Rockets' Jabari Smith Jr. Teammates with Victor Wembanyama, Brandon Miller in Rising Stars Event
Houston Rockets 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. The NBA announced that Smith will be part of Team Pau [Pau Gasol]. His teammates will feature the No. 1 and 3 picks of the 2023 NBA Draft, Victor Wembanyama and Brandon Miller.
Smith has started all 41 games for the Houston Rockets this season, averaging 13.8 points and 8.7 rebounds. The news of Smith's rising start selection came after he helped the Rockets take a 135-119 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers. He finished with 18 points, nine rebounds and four assists.
His performance against the Lakers came after a four-game absence due to an ankle injury.
"It felt good, but I do wish my teammates were with me, Cam [Whitmore] and Amen [Thompson]," Smith said. "But it is cool to be out there. It's a fun experience. So, I am happy about it."
Rockets forward Jabari Smith Jr. and San Antonio Spurs center Victor Wembanyama (1) react after Smith scores a basket during the second quarter at Toyota Center.
Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
Among sophomores this season, Smith ranks eighth in scoring, third in rebounding and third in total 3-pointers made. He is shooting 46.9 percent from the floor and 37.6 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.
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.
