The reserves for next month's NBA All-Star Game in Los Angeles were announced on Sunday, including Houston Rockets forward Kevin Durant. Meanwhile, among the first-timers is Miami Heat guard Norman Powell.
Powell has been on a tear in his maiden season with the Heat, averaging career-highs of 23.0 points, 3.7 rebounds, 2.6 assists, and 1.2 steals entering their game against the Chicago Bulls.
His former teammate, Rockets guard Fred VanVleet, could not be more excited for his selection to the midseason classic.
“Norm! Well-deserved, @Jigga2cal. One of the hardest workers I’ve ever seen,” wrote VanVleet on X.
VanVleet and Powell played together for several years on the Toronto Raptors, winning a championship in 2019. They developed a strong bond as teammates, and obviously, they have remained tight despite being on different teams now.
Powell was traded by Toronto to the Portland Trail Blazers in 2021 for Gary Trent Jr. and Rodney Hood, while VanVleet signed with the Rockets in 2023 as a free agent.
Their careers mirror each other, as both worked their way up the ladder, including playing in the G League. Powell was a second-round pick, while VanVleet went undrafted.
VanVleet was named an All-Star in 2022.
He is set to miss the entire season due to an ACL injury. He re-signed with Houston on a two-year, $50 million contract in June.
Aside from Powell, other first-timers to the All-Star Game include Trail Blazers forward Deni Avdija, Oklahoma City Thunder center Chet Holmgren, Denver Nuggets guard Jamal Murray, Atlanta Hawks forward Jalen Johnson, and Detroit Pistons center Jalen Duren.
