Rockets' Tari Eason Named to Rising Stars Event, Jalen Green Replaced Due To Injury

HOUSTON — The Houston Rockets will have three players representing the franchise during the 2023 Jordan Rising Stars event in Salt Lake City. Tari Eason, Jabari Smith Jr. and Alperen Sengun will participate in the All-Star event on Feb. 17 inside Vivint Arena.

Eason was a late addition after replacing Detroit Pistons' Jalen Duren due to an ankle injury. Eason was not one of the original 28 players invited to the rising stars event. But the rookie prospect from LSU used the snub as fuel.

"It doesn't matter what the outside world thinks of me, I know what kind of player I am," Eason said. "I know what I bring, and I will continue to work. "No one has ever fought for me. I had to get it out of the mud my whole life. And I'm going to continue with that mentality."

Eason has averaged 8.7 points and 5.5 rebounds in 58 games played as a rookie.

Eason's best performance came on Feb. 1 when he helped the Rockets take a 112-106 victory against the Oklahoma City Thunder. He registered a career-high 20 points and 13 rebounds in the win — a dozen of his boards came on the offensive glass.

Duren was not the only player the NBA replaced due to injury. The league announced Thursday afternoon that Chicago Bulls' guard Ayo Dosunmu will replace Rockets' guard Jalen Green.

Green sustained a left groin strain injury Wednesday night during Houston's 133-96 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder. He left the game in the second quarter following the injury.

According to coach Stephen Silas, there was no update on Green's status after the game, and he will undergo an MRI tomorrow when the team returns to Houston.

You can follow Coty M. Davis on Twitter at @CotyDavis_24

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