Mason Plumlee Named to 2014 Rising Stars Challenge

The Brooklyn Nets will have at least one representative at All-Star Weekend in New Orleans.

Rookie Mason Plumlee, whom the Nets drafted 22nd overall last summer, was named to the 2014 Rising Stars Challenge, the NBA announced today.

Though he's seen a severe cut in his minutes as of late (he hasn't played in any of the last three games and has only played 11 minutes in the Nets' past six games), Plumlee has given the Nets some real value. He's averaging 5.6 points, 3.0 rebounds, and 0.7 blocks in just 15.2 minutes per game, giving him a per-36 minutes line of 13.3 points, 7.1 rebounds, and 1.7 blocks. The 23-year-old is also shooting an impressive 62.9%, good for sixth-best in the NBA. He has also become well-known for his putbacks and reverse slams.

ESPN's David Thorpe ranks him as the fifth-best rookie this year, trailing only Michael Carter-Williams, Trey Burke, Tim Hardaway Jr. and Victor Oladipo. Notably, he is the top big man in this ranking.

The 6'11" Duke product will join fellow rookies Carter-Williams, Oladipo, Burke, Hardaway Jr., Steven Adams, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Kelly Olynyk and Pero Antic in their game against the sophomores.

Many Nets fans wanted to see Mirza Teletovic play in this game with the sophomores, as he's having a great season, but there is still hope for him to head to All-Star Weekend in the three point shootout.

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