Chicago Bulls forward Lauri Markkanen will participate in the NBA’s Rising Stars Challenge in Charlotte this weekend, and he’s apparently super gung-ho to get going.
Markkanen, who is averaging 18.5 points and 8.8 rebounds per game in his sophomore season, will play for the World team in the annual exhibition, and he reached out to honorary coach Dirk Nowitzki to see when the team would be hitting the floor for practice:
Nowitzki’s Dallas teammate Luka Doncic, who will also be on the World squad, told Markkanen that they wouldn’t be practicing ahead of the game, but Nowitzki had different ideas:
Doncic and Markkanen will be joined by a group of other stars, including number one overall draft pick DeAndre Ayton and Philadelphia 76ers standout Ben Simmons on the World squad when they take on Team USA on Friday night. John Collins, De’Aaron Fox, and Jarrett Allen are all on the American team that will take the floor in Charlotte for the contest.
