A Royal Pain
Fansided

Sacramento Kings Were Well Represented In NBA Rising Stars Challenge

By Anthony Cardenas

CHARLOTTE, NC - FEBRUARY 15: John Collins #20 and Marvin Bagley III #35 of the U.S. Team smile after the 2019 Mtn Dew ICE Rising Stars Game on February 15, 2019 at the Spectrum Center in Charlotte, North Carolina. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images)
CHARLOTTE, NC - FEBRUARY 15: John Collins #20 and Marvin Bagley III #35 of the U.S. Team smile after the 2019 Mtn Dew ICE Rising Stars Game on February 15, 2019 at the Spectrum Center in Charlotte, North Carolina. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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The Sacramento Kings were well represented in Friday’s Rising Stars Challenge to kick off All-Star Weekend.

De’Aaron Fox was the starting point guard for Team USA, and led all players with 16 assists, but added just two points. His passes were responsible for a handful of alley-oops and easy finishes for his high-flying teammates.

One of those beautiful set-ups by Fox was flushed home by rookie Marvin Bagley III. Despite not being in the starting lineup, Bagley provided some highlight-reel dunks in the first half, including a two-handed windmill dunk that wowed the crowd and received praise from celebrity commentator Danny Green. Bagley did put up a couple of ugly looking three-pointers, but made up for it with a 14 point, five rebound performance in just 17 minutes.

https://twitter.com/SacramentoKings/status/1096601948248264705

CHARLOTTE, NC – FEBRUARY 15: Marvin Bagley III #35 of the U.S. Team dunks the ball against the World Team during the 2019 Mtn Dew ICE Rising Stars Game on February 15, 2019 at the Spectrum Center in Charlotte, North Carolina. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images)
CHARLOTTE, NC – FEBRUARY 15: Marvin Bagley III #35 of the U.S. Team dunks the ball against the World Team during the 2019 Mtn Dew ICE Rising Stars Game on February 15, 2019 at the Spectrum Center in Charlotte, North Carolina. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Reigning MVP Bogdan Bogdanovic was in the starting lineup for Team World, though his performance in this year’s game was slightly less impressive. All 15 of his points came by way of the three-pointer, meaning Bogi was able to flash his patented “3 Face” celebration that we saw so much of in last year’s contest.

One of the reasons that the young Kings were unable to put up any gaudy numbers was the dominance of Kyle Kuzma and Ben Simmons.

Kuzma had a game-high 35 points and did so by taking 27 shots. The three Kings in the contest combined for just 25 attempts. Kuzma was named the game’s MVP.  For Team World, Ben Simmons was extremely efficient. Last year’s Rookie of the Year went 14 for 17 on his way to 28 points.

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Sacramento will continue to be well represented during All-Star Saturday Night. Buddy Hield will be in the three-point contest and De’Aaron Fox will participate in the Skills Challenge. Both have a better-than-average shot at winning their respective events.

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