Suns' Booker replaces Noel in Rising Stars Challenge
Phoenix Suns rookie Devin Booker has replaced injured Philadelphia player Nerlens Noel on the U.S. team roster in the Rising Stars Challenge on Friday night.
The NBA announced the move Thursday.
Booker, the 19-year-old former Kentucky guard drafted 13th overall last year, is averaging 10.6 points and shooting 40.3 percent from 3-point range in 48 games. In 23 starts, he's averaging 15.2 points, and had a season-high 32 points against Indiana on Jan. 19.
Booker also will compete in the Three-Point Contest on Saturday.
Noel has tendinitis in his right knee.
In other Suns news, the team assigned guard Jordan McRae to the Bakersfield Jam of the NBA Development League and said he will play in the D-League All-Star Game on Saturday in Toronto.
McRae signed a second 10-day contract with the Suns on Monday after initially signing Jan. 29. The 24-year-old former Tennessee player has averaged 4.8 points, 1.2 assists and 11.3 minutes in six games with the Suns.
In his last D-League game for the Delaware 87ers, he scored a league-record 61 points against Canton on Jan. 26. He averaged 23.1 points, 5.2 assists and 4.5 rebounds in 28 games for Delaware.
