Hey, at least it’s something!
Bulls center Wendell Carter Jr. has been selected as a USA roster member for the Rising Stars game on All-Star weekend. With Zach LaVine failing to make the All-Star roster and not yet committing to the Dunk Contest, Carter Jr. stands as the only Bulls representative over the course of the weekend’s festivities.
Congrats to Wendell Carter Jr. for being selected to the 2020 Rising Stars roster! #NBAAllStar pic.twitter.com/eSnmphIR1h
— Chicago Bulls (@chicagobulls) January 31, 2020
However, while he’ll be repping Chicago in spirit, he will not be participating in the game itself due to his ankle sprain. And since Carter Jr. will be sidelined, the NBA gave rookie Zion Williamson the open roster spot.
Throughout the team’s first 37 games, Carter Jr. proved to be one of the most promising young big men in the league. Showing development on his already impressive rim-protecting skills, Carter Jr. also showed improvement as a rebounder and scorer. On the season, he’s averaging 11.1 points and 9.9 rebounds per game. According to the Chicago Bulls press release, Carter Jr. has the highest rebounding percentage of any first or second-year player and has the third-most double-doubles (17). In other words, he’s very deserving of a spot on this year’s roster.
Now … where the heck is Coby White!? The Chicago Bulls rookie may be suffering from his fair share of inconsistencies this season, but he’s still been one of the most electrifying first-year players in the NBA. With the event in Chicago, the league couldn’t throw my guy a bone this one time? Of course, there is always a chance White can sneak in if an injury or two pops up, but no recognition from the get-go is an annoying pill to swallow.
Whatever at least White is prepared to take his snubbing in stride:
“It would mean a lot,” White told NBC Sports Chicago prior to the league’s decision. “Hopefully, I’ll be one of the ones selected. But like I always say, if not, it’s not the end of the world for me. I won’t let it define who I am. But to represent Chicago in Chicago for All-Star weekend, it would be a big deal for me. It would be a blessing for sure.”
Shame on you, NBA. You don’t deserve White’s skills or his awesome hair.
Here’s a look at the game’s complete roster:
Presenting the 2020 #NBARisingStars rosters at #NBAAllStar pic.twitter.com/Zc8fknNfiT
— 2020 NBA All-Star (@NBAAllStar) January 31, 2020