NOTEBOOK

Bridges scored 20 points and took MVP honors, and Eric Paschall added 23 points as the U.S. beat the World 151-131 in the Rising Stars Challenge on Friday.

Williamson scored 14 and had the United Center baskets quaking whether he made or missed.

The No. 1 draft pick continued to dazzle after his highly anticipated New Orleans debut got pushed back three months because of right knee surgery. Averaging 22.1 points in 10 games for the Pelicans, the rookie delighted the crowd with several thunderous dunks and two impressive misses.

Williamson attempted a 360, only to have the ball fly off the rim. Given a do-over, he went between his legs and off the glass — only to miss again.

R.J. Barrett of New York led the World with 27 points.

Dallas All-star Luka Doncic drew a big roar when he banked a 3 from halfcourt just before the halftime buzzer to send the World to the locker room up 81-71.

Kobe Bryant was one of eight finalists announced as candidates for enshrinement into the Basketball Hall of Fame.

Joining Bryant as first-time finalists: 15-time All-star

Hall of Fame:

Tim Duncan, fellow 15-time All-star Kevin Garnett and 10-time WNBA All-star and four-time Olympic gold medalist Tamika Catchings.

The other finalists have been to this point previously: Baylor women’s coach Kim Mulkey, former Houston Rockets coach Rudy Tomjanovich, five-time Division II women’s coach of the year Barbara Stevens of Bentley and four-time national men’s college coach of the year Eddie Sutton.

This year’s enshrinement class will be announced April 4.

Bryant, the NBA’S No. 4 scorer, was an 18-time AllStar and five-time champion in a 20-year Los Angeles Lakers career. He, along with 13-year-old daughter Gianna and seven others, died in a Jan. 26 helicopter crash.

Former President Barack Obama

— a huge basketball fan, officially the game’s First

Fan during his eight years in office — made an unannounced appearance Friday at an NBA Cares event in his hometown of Chicago with several of the league’s top rookies, second-year players

First Fan:

and coaches.

The event was for volunteers to fill several backpacks with school supplies, and that work predictably stopped when Obama walked into the room.

“You’re doing fantastic,” Obama told All-star Luka Doncic of Dallas, who was seated at a table with Los Angeles Lakers assistant coach Jason Kidd when the 44th president made his way to their side of the room.

Obama embraced Kidd and then turned back to Doncic: “Don’t listen to him when it comes to shooting,” Obama quipped, clearly aware that Doncic already is a much better shooter than Kidd was in his career.

Rapper/actor Common had 10 points, five rebounds, four steals and three assists to gain Most Valuable Player honors in the All-star Celebrity Game as Team Wilbon beat Team Stephen A 62-47.

Rapper Famous Los scored 25 points for Team Wilbon in All-star Weekend’s first on-court event.

Aces forward A’ja Wilson led Team Stephen A scorers with 11 points.

Celebrity Game: