The NBA announced the 2022 NBA Rising Stars Challenge rosters on Tuesday. Almost all of the names you would expect to see made the rosters. However, there is one player who missed out. San Antonio Spurs second year player Devin Vassell will not be playing in the prestigious game. He clearly was not very happy about it, but also not shocked he was overlooked.
Not surprised! Head Down keep working!🤬
— Devin Vassell (@Yvngdevo) February 2, 2022
The NBA Rising Stars Challenge is a game between the NBA's best rookies versus the best sophomore players. This game, held Friday night of NBA All-Star weekend, began back in 1994. However, the format has changed many times over the years.
The first couple of years the game was comprised of only rookies. In 1996, it became the Eastern rookies versus the Western rookies. Then in 1999, sophomore began playing in the game. Years later, former basketball stars like Shaquille O'Neal and Charles Barkley would begin drafting their teams. In 2015, it even functioned as a Team USA vs Team World.
Now, we get to see simply the best of the best young players battle it out. Sadly for Spurs fans, that will happen without Vassell.
Vassell took a massive leap forward in his second year this year. He is averaging just under 12 points per game, five rebounds, a steal and a block per game. His shooting from deep has been a big boost to the Spurs. He is draining 35 percent of his treys.
Clearly, Vassell wasn't going to be taking the spot of ballers like LaMelo Ball, Desmond Bane or Anthony Edwards. But players like Precious Achiuwa were debatable.
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