Lakers sophomores Lonzo Ball and Kyle Kuzma were two of 10 American first- and second-year players selected by the league’s assistant coaches to participate in the Mtn Dew Ice Rising Stars game, it was announced Tuesday.
Last season, Ball and Kuzma became the 11th and 12th Lakers in franchise history to be selected to the game (previously known as the Rookie-Sophomore Game), and will join Brandon Ingram, D’Angelo Russell and Jordan Farmar as the only Lakers to participate in the game twice. It is the fourth consecutive season the Lakers have had at least two representatives in the game.
Ball has appeared in 47 games (45 starts) this season, averaging 9.9 points, 5.3 rebounds, 5.4 assists and 1.5 steals in 30.3 minutes per game. In 47 games (45 starts) this season, Kuzma is averaging 19.1 points, 5.9 rebounds and 2.5 assists in 33.0 minutes per game.
Lakers previously selected to appear in the contest are: Ball (2018), Ingram (2017 and 2018), Kuzma (2018), Russell (2017 and 2016), Jordan Clarkson (2016), Farmar (2007 and 2008), Andrew Bynum (2007), Kobe Bryant (1997), Derek Fisher (1997), Travis Knight (1997), Eddie Jones (1995, selected MVP), and Nick Van Exel (1994).
The game will be played on Friday, February 15, during NBA All-Star 2019 at the Spectrum Center in Charlotte, NC.
