Warriors' Eric Paschall impresses, leads Team USA to Rising Stars win

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Eric Paschall was one of a handful of players in the 2020 NBA Rising Stars Challenge who wasn't drafted in the first round, but the Warriors rookie looked right at home Friday night in Chicago. 

Paschall scored a team-high 23 points on 10-of-13 shooting in Team USA's 151-131 comeback win over Team World. Defense was optional at the United Center, but the Villanova product finished the night plus-33 alongside the rest of the Team USA reserves. 

The 23-year-old flashed his offensive versatility Friday night, getting buckets in traffic and from beyond the 3-point line.

Paschall saved his highest flying for the fourth quarter, getting plenty of hang time on an uncontested two-handed slam. 

You'll have to look elsewhere for outrage that Paschall wasn't the game's most valuable player, despite leading his team in scoring. Charlotte Hornets forward Miles Bridges, Paschall's teammate on the night, won MVP honors. 

Something tells me few people will remember that as more than a footnote. The night unsurprisingly belonged to New Orleans Pelicans rookie Zion Williamson.

Yes, he scored only 14 points, but bending the rim on a dunk was more than enough to steal the show. 

[RELATED: Why Jazz star Mitchell respects Warriors' Lee so much]

The lottery-bound Warriors haven't had much to smile about this season, but Paschall has been an exception. He's averaging 13.2 points, 4.7 rebounds and 1.7 assists as a rookie, and his Rising Stars nod was well-deserved. 

Here's hoping Warriors CEO Joe Lacob lets Paschall fly home on his private plane after Friday's performance. 

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