Kessler, Smith invited to participate in NBA Rising Stars Game

Auburn’s first-round picks are making a splash in their inaugural season in the NBA.

It is no secret that Auburn’s first-round picks are doing well in their first season in the NBA.

[autotag]Jabari Smith Jr.[/autotag] and [autotag]Walker Kessler[/autotag] are being rewarded for their stellar play during the first half of the NBA season by being named to the NBA Rising Stars game that will be played on Feb. 17, which will be during NBA All-Star Weekend in Salt Lake City.

Smith and Kessler will be playing alongside fellow rookies A.J. Griffin, Andrew Nembhard, and Paolo Banchero, among six others. The rookie team will compete with a team of second-year players including Josh Giddey, Jalen Green, and Josh Mobley.

Smith, who was drafted No. 3 overall in the 2022 NBA Draft by the Houston Rockets, has averaged 11.9 points per game in 47 starts for the Rockets. As for Kessler, he is a threat at the basket by reeling in seven rebounds per game and averaging 7.7 points in 49 games for the Utah Jazz.

According to ESPN, there will be two teams of NBA G-League players as well. The semi-finals will play a game with a target score of 40, while the final game will be played with a target score of 25.

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