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Shai Gilgeous-Alexander should be on Rising Stars team

By Ryan Snellings

LOS ANGELES, CA - DECEMBER 26: Los Angeles Clippers Guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) looks on during a NBA game between the Sacramento Kings and the Los Angeles Clippers on December 26, 2018 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, CA. (Photo by Brian Rothmuller/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - DECEMBER 26: Los Angeles Clippers Guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) looks on during a NBA game between the Sacramento Kings and the Los Angeles Clippers on December 26, 2018 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, CA. (Photo by Brian Rothmuller/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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The LA Clippers may have some All-Star representation in the form of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander being a member of the Rising Stars Challenge for which the rosters will be announced tonight.

Tonight, the NBA will reveal the rosters for the Mountain Dew Ice Rising Stars Challenge during the TNT pregame show. Quite a mouthful, right? The LA Clippers may and should have one of their rookies on the team in Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.

The 11th overall pick in the draft may not be the leader in the Rookie of the Year, but he has impressed many in the league.

Gilgeous-Alexander has appeared in all 51 games this season for the Clippers, but earned the starting role early and has started 46 overall. In those 51 games, SGA is putting up a respectable 9.9 points, 2.6 rebounds, 2.9 assists, 1.0 steal and 0.5 blocks.

While he seems to be more of a traditional point guard, the young guard uses his length to his advantage in order to get to the paint and score. He doesn’t have a reliable outside shot just yet (32.5% from deep on 1.5 attempts per game) but still can find ways to put the ball into the hoop.

Shai will likely be announced as one of the Rising Stars along with impressive rookies Luka Doncic, Deandre Ayton, Trae Young and Jaren Jackson Jr.

The Clippers other rookie, Jerome Robinson, likely won’t be getting the call to play in the game. Robinson has been earning regular minutes as of lately, but has been with the Agua Caliente Clippers of Ontario, the team’s G-League affiliate, for most of the season.

Robinson has only appeared in 15 games for LA, averaging just 8.3 minutes per game. However, he is putting up solid Per 36 numbers. Per 36 minutes, he’s averaging 15.4 points on 48% shooting. He’s shooting 45.8% from deep, albeit on only 1.6 attempts. Shooting is Robinson’s calling card and while he may not be in the Rising Stars Challenge, there is a bright future for him.

Gilgeous-Alexander earning a nod in tonight’s Rising Stars Challenge announcement would be huge for the Clippers. SGA was a product of the Blake Griffin trade and should be the team’s point guard of the future.

Next. Forget AD and focus on Leonard and Durant. dark

Tune in to TNT at 7pm EST/ 4pm PST to see the Mountain Dew Ice Rising Stars Challenge team announcements.

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