Magic's Payton, Hezonja invited to play in Rising Stars Challenge
ORLANDO MAGIC PRESS RELEASE
ORLANDO, Fla. -- Orlando Magic guard Elfrid Payton and guard/forward Mario Hezonja have been selected to participate in the BBVA Compass Rising Stars Challenge on Friday, Feb. 12 at Air Canada Centre in Toronto during NBA All-Star 2016.
Payton, the 10th selection in the 2014 NBA Draft, ranks first among all second-year players in assists per game (5.9 apg.), third in steals (1.3 stlpg.) and is tied for sixth in points (11.2 ppg.). In 2015-16, he has led (or tied) the team in scoring four times and in assists 25 times, scored in double figures 24 times and had 20+ points five times.
Last year in the 2015 BBVA Rising Stars Challenge, Payton scored two points, recorded three rebounds, three assists and one steal in 16 minutes as Team USA fell to Team World, 112-121.
Hezonja, the fifth selection in the 2015 NBA Draft, has appeared in 41 games this season for the Magic, averaging 4.6 ppg., 1.7 rpg. and 1.0 apg. in 13.7 minpg. He ranks fourth among all rookies in 3-point field goal percentage (.368) and has scored in double figures seven times, including a career-high 12 points on Dec. 11 vs. Cleveland.
For the second consecutive year, the league's annual showcase of premier young talent will pit 10 first and second-year NBA players from the United States against 10 first and second-year NBA players from around the world. TNT will televise the game live at 9 p.m. ET, part of Turner Sports' 31st year of All-Star coverage.