Wendell Carter Jr. didn't play during the Rising Stars Challenge due to his injured ankle, but that doesn't mean he's not playing particularly well. In fact, the young Chicago Bulls center is confident that he'll make an All-Star team in the future.

Legendary Bulls writer Sam Smith talked to the second-year center ahead of the Rising Stars Challenge. While he was disappointed that he didn't make the game and had to be replaced by Zion Williamson, Carter was more than happy with his performance this season and the way he is trending.

“I definitely think I'm on the right path to becoming an All-Star,” Carter said. “When? I'm not sure. But I feel like the pace I'm going and my respect for the game, the way I play and how effective I am when I play, I feel I'm on a pretty good path to making it as an All Star. (By) just out working everybody.

“The only way for you to become an All-Star (there is) talent, of course, but outworking and showcasing every night and being consistent and showing the league no matter who you are playing against you are going to play the same. I feel that separates a good player from an All-Star.”

Wendell Carter Jr. is having a great season for the Bulls, averaging 11.7 points, 9.9 rebounds and 1.2 assists per game. These numbers are especially superb considering that he's 6-foot-9 and is always battling against much taller and stronger opponents. While he's been out since the start of 2020, the medical team is hopeful that he'll be back in the rotation at the end of the All-Star Weekend.

Bulls fans will be happy that they have such a driven center leading the team. If he keeps this mentality up and matches it with production, there's no reason why he shouldn't make an All-Star team sooner rather than later.