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Utah Jazz: Donovan Mitchell making return trip to Rising Stars Challenge

By Ryan Aston

LOS ANGELES, CA - FEBRUARY 16: Donovan Mitchell #45 of the USA team poses for a portrait prior to the Mountain Dew Kickstart Rising Stars Game during All-Star Friday Night as part of 2018 NBA All-Star Weekend at the STAPLES Center on February 16, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Michael J. LeBrecht II/NBAE via Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - FEBRUARY 16: Donovan Mitchell #45 of the USA team poses for a portrait prior to the Mountain Dew Kickstart Rising Stars Game during All-Star Friday Night as part of 2018 NBA All-Star Weekend at the STAPLES Center on February 16, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Michael J. LeBrecht II/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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It may not be exactly the game fans want to see him in, but Utah Jazz guard Donovan Mitchell will still take the court at NBA All-Star Weekend in Charlotte.

In spite of his best efforts, i.e. averaging 30 points, six assists and five boards per game with a 46-41-79 shooting line over his last 12 games, Utah Jazz star Donovan Mitchell may be a longshot to capture a reserve spot on the Western Conference All-Star squad. But he’ll still be in Charlotte next month for NBA All-Star Weekend.

On Tuesday, the league announced its rosters for the 2019 Rising Stars Challenge and — surprise, surprise — Mitchell will be taking the court for Team USA for the second consecutive year.

Along with such luminaries as Kyle Kuzma, Jayson Tatum and De’Aaron Fox, Mitchell will go toe-to-toe with a World team led by the likes of Luka Doncic, Ben Simmons and Deandre Ayton.

One year ago, Mitchell and the Americans had a rough go of things, losing to Team World in a 155-124 throttling. Bogdan Bogdanovic of the Sacramento Kings nailed seven triples and scored 26 points to pace his squad to the win and capture MVP honors.

For his part, Mitchell acquitted himself quite well in the contest. In a game where defense wasn’t a thing and one-on-one play ruled offensively, the Jazz guard actually D’d up on people and looked to find the open man when he controlled the ball.

He scored just seven points on the night, but finished with a team-high seven assists and a game-high five steals. Despite the strange environment, he continued to do the things that make him great.

Also, he did this —

For me, this is a bit of a ho-hum announcement. Mitchell was a lock for this game which, by the way, usually ends up being the worst kind of exhibition fare. He’s already opted not to defend his Slam Dunk title.

Still, it’s always good for the Jazz organization to get this kind of recognition. All told, 14 Jazz players have been named participants in the Rising Stars game dating back to Bryon Russell‘s spot in the inaugural contest back in 1994.

Next. If AD wants out, Utah Jazz should make a run at Jrue Holiday. dark

The Mtn. Dew Rising Stars Challenge will take place on Friday, February 15 at 7 PM MT.

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