:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/7318219/20130118_ajl_sd9_176.0.jpg)
The NBA announced Wednesday the rosters for the Rising Stars Challenge at 2013 NBA All-Star Weekend in Houston, and to no one's surprise, second-year Orlando Magic center Nikola Vučević; will compete. The Rising Stars Challenge, more commonly known as the Rookie/Sophomore Game, pits first- and second-year players against each other in a friendly exhibition on the Friday of All-Star Weekend. The 2013 edition will take place on February 15th at 9 PM Eastern on TNT.
Vučević; joins sophomores Kenneth Faried, Kyrie Irving, Brandon Knight, Kawhi Leonard, Chandler Parsons, Klay Thompson, Tristan Thompson, and Kemba Walker; and rookies Harrison Barnes, Bradley Beal, Anthony Davis, Andre Drummond, Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, Damian Lillard, Alexey Shved, Dion Waiters, and Tyler Zeller as the competitors in the 2013 event. The specific teams won't be revealed until February 7th during the Rising Stars Challenge Draft, which TNT will broadcast at 7 PM Eastern.
Vučević; was not invited to compete in the 2012 Rising Stars Challenge in Orlando, wherein Irving, the future Rookie of the Year winner, led Charles Barkley's team to a 146-133 victory over Shaquille O'Neal's team.
Through Monday's games, Vučević; ranked sixth among second-year players in per-game scoring (11.9), first in rebounding (11.2), and fifth in Player Efficiency Rating (17.5). He's also the only Magic player not to miss a single game in 2012/13.
Orlando acquired Vučević; from the Philadelphia 76ers as part of the four-team Dwight Howard trade in August.
Looking for Orlando Magic tickets? Orlando Pinstriped Post has you covered. We invite you to follow Orlando Pinstriped Post on Twitter and like Orlando Pinstriped Post on Facebook.