Three former Arizona Wildcats are taking part in the 2018 NBA All-Star event, Lauri Markkanen, Aaron Gordon (was not anymore but we included it anyway) and Kadeem Allen.
Arizona Wildcat basketball is going to be well represented in the 2018 NBA All-Star event. Lauri Markkanen will be taking part in Kickstart Rising Stars Game as well as the Taco Bell Skills Challenge. Aaron Gordon will be in the Slam Dunk contest for the third time. Kadeem Allen will be in the NBA G League International Challenge.
Two of the three join three other former Wildcat players that have previously competed in the NBA All-Star Event as players and one as an NBA coach: Sean Elliot, Gilbert Arenas, Andre Iguodala and Steve Kerr. The total amount of Wildcats NBA All-Star appearance was four, now make that seven!
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- Rawle Alkins a star in the Drew League this summer
- Former Wildcat Scooby Wright wins Second USFL Title
- The Edmonton Elks have re-signed former Arizona quarterback Khalil Tate
Side note for Shannon Evans: There has only been one former Arizona State Sun Devils player who has participated in the All-Star Event: James Harden.
It’s one thing to make the NBA, but then to be part of the All-Star event is an accomplishment to be proud of. Not only are these players representing their team, but they are being given an opportunity on a grand stage to display their skills.
Read more about these three Wildcats, what they have accomplished this season, starting with Lauri Markkanen.
Lauri Markkanen – Kickstart Rising Stars game and Taco Bell Skills Challenge
In only his first season in the NBA, Chicago Bulls rookie Markkanen has already made a name for himself. He has achieved multiple records at the half way mark, including the becoming the fastest ever in NBA history to score 100 three-pointers, doing so in 41 games. To put that feat into perspective, it took Stephen Curry 58 games to do so.
For the season, Markkanen is averaging 15.7 points per game, 7.7 rebounds per game and 1.3 assists per game. He is shooting 36.5% from 3-point range and 52% from the field. Those are NBA All-Star stats!
For his accomplishments, he has been selected to be part of the world team and represent Finland in Mountain Dew Kickstart Rising Stars. This event is made of first and second-year players, from the United States and all over the world, facing off against one another. Markkanen will be playing alongside highly talented players, including Ben Simmons of the Philadelphia 76ers and Dillion Brooks of the Memphis Grizzlies.
https://twitter.com/MarkkanenLauri/status/956567475033911296
Markkanen will also be taking part in the Taco Bell Skills Challenge alongside versatility skilled players, such as Joel Embid and defending champion Kristaps Porzingis. This challenge will test the players in multiple categories: ball handling, passing, lay up or dunk and three-point shooting. Markkanen is such a versatile player; he has a very good chance of winning.
Glad to extend my #NBAAllStar weekend and rep the @chicagobulls at #TacoBellSkills on #StateFarmSaturday! https://t.co/sA9CmmJgzB
— Lauri Markkanen (@MarkkanenLauri) February 2, 2018
And if things couldn’t get better for The Finnisher, he just became a father this past week with the birth of his baby boy. Congrats Lauri!
Aaron Gordon – Verizon Slam Dunk Contest
Third time would be a charm. In having one of the greatest dunks in NBA All-Star dunk contest history, Aaron Gordon got absolutely robbed when he ended up coming in 2nd place to Zach Lavine in the 2016 dunk contest. And when I say robbed, I mean ROBBED!!
Still till this day, many have no idea how that is even possible. Maybe I am biased being a diehard Wildcat basketball fan, but the dunk he performed over the mascot was legendary!
In the last year’s dunk contest, Gordon may have gotten a little too creative implementing a drone into one of his dunks. Let’s just say it don’t go that well. He ended up finishing in fourth place for his efforts. Gordon had assured fans he wasn’t going to be doing that again this year:
https://twitter.com/Double0AG/status/959235799198953472
Gordon has now been selected to be part of the dunk contest for three straight years but now had to withdraw due to a hip injury. It’s too bad because he knows how to dunk in big ways! The things Gordon is capable high above the rim is electrifying and brings fans to their feet.
He would have had some stiff competition in this year’s event, which includes Lakers posterizer Larry Nance Jr., Dallas Mavericks rookie Dennis Smith Jr. and now Utah Jazz rookie Donovan Mitchell. Gordon would have looked to use his experience and creativity to his advantage to have possibly won his first NBA Slam Dunk contest.
Utah Jazz rookie Donovan Mitchell is expected to replace Orlando’s Aaron Gordon in the dunk contest on NBA All-Star weekend, league sources tell ESPN. Gordon withdrew with a hip injury.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) February 5, 2018
Gordon has established himself as one of the premier dunks in the NBA, but he also has shown he has all-around game that shouldn’t be taken lightly. Gordon is averaging 18.4 points per game, 8.3 rebounds per game and 2.2 assists per game. In October against the Nets, Gordon scored a career-high 41 points and had 14 points boards in a come from behind 125-122 win for the Magic:
Kadeem Allen – NBA G League International Challenge
Two-way contract athlete Kadeem Allen of the Maine Red Claws / Boston Celtics was just recently named to participate in the NBA G League International Challenge (which replaces the NBA G League All-Star game). This challenge involves G League All-Stars taking on the Mexican National Teams on Feb 18th, during the NBA All-Star weekend in Los Angeles.
Allen was also just named NBA G League Player of the Week as a result of averaging 38.0 points per game, 6.5 rebounds per game and 6.5 assists per game over the course of three games, which included a 46 point game! Even better, Allen was just called up to play for the Celtics due to injuries sustained by key players.
Allen has played in 24 games for the Red Claws and started in 23 of them. He has averaged 18 points per game, 5.9 rebounds per game, five assists per game, and 2.6 steals per game. Allen has played in four games for the Celtics and will look to take advantage of the times he gets called up.
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At Zona Zealots, we are extremely proud of our Wildcats and having the opportunity to play among the stars! The NBA All-Star event will kick off on February 16 – 18th on TNT at the Staples Center in Los Angeles. Lauri and Aaron, good luck to the both of you and don’t forget to Bear Down!