With the spotlight squarely on them at the NBA’s Rising Stars challenge, it was an eventful All-Star weekend for Houston Rockets prospects Jabari Smith Jr., Tari Eason, and Alperen Sengun. Smith and Eason are each in their rookie seasons, while Sengun is in year two.
Second-year guard Jalen Green was supposed to be among Houston’s representatives, as well, but he was a late scratch due to the left groin strain he suffered in a game earlier this week.
In all, 21 active players (11 rookies, 10 sophomores) were selected to the Rising Stars event by NBA assistant coaches before being drafted onto three seven-player teams. Seven G League players selected by the league office comprised the fourth team.
Former NBA players Pau Gasol, Joakim Noah, Deron Williams and Jason Terry served as honorary head coaches, with assistant coaches from the NBA All-Star Game coaching staffs joining them.
A deal is a deal ????
If Jeremy Sochan hits a half-court shot during #JordanRisingStars tonight Jabari Smith Jr. has to dye his hair.
For more practice content:
???? https://t.co/0BE0CKd6iF pic.twitter.com/P5bT6m30fN— NBA (@NBA) February 17, 2023
Each year, Rising Stars tournament games are played to a target score, with each game won courtesy of a shot or free throw instead of the clock running out. The first two games are played to 40 points, and the final game between the winners is played to 25 points.
As it pertains to Houston’s trio of prospects, here’s how it all went down from Salt Lake City’s Vivint Arena on Friday night. Sengun didn’t score (box score) and was eliminated after one game with Team Deron, while Smith and Eason had better luck on Team Joakim, which defeated Team Jason (box score) to advance to the final before ultimately falling to Team Pau in the title game (box score).
Scroll on for further highlights and insight on their play. Smith will be back in action Saturday as part of the NBA’s skills challenge, while teammate KJ Martin will participate in the annual dunk contest.
Sengun with the worst ASG showing ever. I get not playing much defense. But he’s allowed his opponent to get every rebound over him and got humiliated with a behind the back pass by Nemhard. Get it together, Al-P!
— David Weiner (@BimaThug) February 18, 2023
Sengun does NOT care about this game lmao. Team Deron just chucking 3s recklessly
— Itamar (@Itamar_17_10) February 18, 2023
Sengun introduced as “A center who ignites his team’s offense,” which sounds about right, but alas, his last name was mispronounced.
— Jonathan Feigen (@Jonathan_Feigen) February 18, 2023
They didn’t even give Alperen Sengun a chance. SMH lol
— Coty M. Davis (@CotyDavis_24) February 18, 2023
Kind of a rough start for Sengun. Missed his two shots, has one rebound, one steal and one turnover. Not getting much of a chance to be “a center who ignites his team’s offense”.
— Jonathan Feigen (@Jonathan_Feigen) February 18, 2023
Rockets rookie Jabari Smith Jr. starting in a frontcourt with Evan Mobley for Team Joakim. Tari Eason coming off the bench.
— Jonathan Feigen (@Jonathan_Feigen) February 18, 2023
Scoot Henderson tried to throw it down on Jabari Smith 10 seconds into the game!
That will make for a funny conversation next year once they’re teammates
— Itamar (@Itamar_17_10) February 18, 2023
Jabari Smith Jr. with the first Rockets points of the day, on a breakaway fast break to a dunk. He’s missed a couple 3s, too.
— Jonathan Feigen (@Jonathan_Feigen) February 18, 2023
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