By Matthew Paras
-
The Washington Times
-
Wednesday, March 3, 2021
There won’t be a Rising Stars Challenge game this year due to the pandemic, but a pair of Washington Wizards forwards were still on the roster when the teams were unveiled Wednesday.
Rui Hachimura and Deni Avdija — the team’s first-round picks from 2019 and 2020 — made the World Team roster, which would normally compete against Team USA. This is Hachimura’s second straight year earning the honor, while it is the first for Avdija, a rookie.
This season, Hachimura is averaging 12.6 points, 5.5 rebounds and 1.8 assists per game. The 22-year-old Japanese native has notably improved on the defensive end and has become a reliable starter for the Wizards.