Pacers center Domantas Sabonis posted a double-double in helping Team World to a second consecutive victory over Team U.S. in the 24th annual Rising Stars Challenge, 155-124.
The game was played at the Staples Center in Los Angeles.
Sabonis, representing the Pacers and Lithuania (he was born in Portland), finished with 13 points, 11 rebounds, and three assists in 19 minutes off the bench. He made all six of his field goals, including one from long distance.
Two of Sabonis’ Pacers teammates were courtside to support their guy: Victor Oladipo and Myles Turner.
On top of that, team trainers Josh Corbeil and Carl Eaton are in Los Angeles to work over the weekend.
These guys… pic.twitter.com/ostgCEuusB
— Indiana Pacers (@Pacers) February 17, 2018
Eight Team World players reached double figures, led by Buddy Hield’s 29 points. Second-year Boston Celtics forward Jaylen Brown scored a game-high 35 points and grabbed 10 rebounds – the only other player to record a double-double. Team World combined to hit a game record 23 3-pointers (on 56 tries).
Sacramento’s Bogdan Bogdanovic (26 points), no relation to the Pacers’ Bojan Bogdanovic, was named game MVP.
This was the third straight year the Rising Stars game has been U.S. versus the World. It was known as the rookie-sophomore game from 2000-2011.
One change I’d like to see: Have the players wear their NBA uniforms. These are players still fresh to the league and it would absolutely help casual basketball fans.
Earlier in the day, Sabonis served as a coach at the fourth annual Basketball Without Borders Global Camp at the Lakers’ practice facility. Camp participants consisted of the top 67 high school age campers from 36 countries.
Of note:
One of the three officials for the game was Tyler Ford (#39) who resides in Lafayette, Indiana. Now in his third season as an NBA official, Ford earned his Bachelor’s (’07) and Master’s (09) degrees from Ball State University. Basketball fans have likely seen him also officiate games in the G League, WNBA, Big Ten, and Summit League.
— Scott Agness (@ScottAgness) February 17, 2018
#KickstartRisingStars World Team pic.twitter.com/v1VsoWyVmd
— Indiana Pacers (@Pacers) February 17, 2018
[Photo: @Pacers on IG]