Smart Selected To NBA Rising Stars Challenge

STILLWATER - NBA All-Star Weekend just got a little bit more exciting for Oklahoma State fans. Celtics guard and former Cowboy Marcus Smart has been selected to play for the U.S. team in the Rising Stars Challenge.

The exhibition game, which takes place on Feb. 12, features a compilation of rookie and sophomore players in a U.S. Team versus World format.

Despite missing more than a month of the season due to a left leg injury, Smart continues to prove himself among the best young players in the league.

Smart's production has improved in nearly every column on the stat sheet this season.

He is averaging 9.0 points, 4.4 rebounds, and is tied for second among second-year players with 3.2 assists per game. The former Cowboy also leads all sophomores with 1.7 steals per game.

Smart is having a milestone year, posting his first career triple-double on Jan. 15 against Phoenix with career-highs in assists (11) and rebounds (11), as well as 10 points.

He also scored a career-high 26 points on 9-of-14 shooting this season in his return to the state of Oklahoma to face the Thunder.

Last season, Smart was one of two rookies to start a game in the NBA playoffs. The other played in the same college backcourt; Nets guard Markel Brown.

The Big 12 is also well-represented on both sides of the ball as college rivals take the court. Former Jayhawk and Timberwolves guard Andrew Wiggins will suit up for the World Team.

Tipoff is set for 8 p.m. (Central) on TNT.

Oklahoma State University Athletics

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