Doncic, Young lead Rising Stars rosters; Thybulle snubbed

CHICAGO >> All-Star starters Luka Doncic of Dallas and Trae Young of Atlanta headlined the list of players released Friday to participate in the Rising Stars game at All-Star weekend in Chicago.

Also on the list are likely rookie of the year frontrunner Ja Morant of Memphis, and No. 1 overall draft pick Zion Williamson of New Orleans.

Not included, however, is Sixers’ rookie Matisse Thybulle, who has been one of the most consistent performers from the 2019 draft class. Thybulle, who is averaging 4.1 points in 20.1 minutes per outing this season, has established himself as an elite defender in the league already.

“How can he not? I mean, how can he not?,” was Sixers’ coach Brett Brown’s reaction to a question about Thybulle’s candidacy earlier this week. “He’s played incredible basketball. He’s started a handful of games. Just connect the dots in games where he plays X amount of minutes to what our record is. And we’re a pretty good team. So I don’t think he’s going to have much trouble getting in that game. And I am proud of him.He’s really had an exceptional rookie year and I assume people see that, as I do.”

Thybulle was less adamant earlier this week about the potential honor.

“It would be cool,” he said. “If I got to play, it would be great. But those things are just accolades. I just want to be the best player I can be and to help our team win.”

The format has 10 firstand second-year players from the U.S. on one team, against 10 first- and secondyear players from other nations.

Joining Young, Morant and Williamson on the U.S. team is Villanova grad Eric Paschall, who is averaging 13.4 points and 4.7 rebounds in 26.9 minutes per night with Golden State.

Also on the U.S. squad are Miles Bridges, PJ Washington and Devonte’ Graham of Charlotte, Wendell Carter Jr. of Chicago, Tyler Herro and Kendrick Nunn of Miami and Jaren Jackson Jr. of Memphis.