Wizards

Wizards

The NBA announced the rosters for the 2017 Rising Stars Challenge, set for Feb. 17 in New Orleans, on Wednesday afternoon and included are many big names like Joel Embiid of the Sixers, Karl-Anthony Towns of the Timberwolves, Kristaps Porzingis of the Knicks and Brandon Ingram of the Lakers.

Left off the list was Wizards second-year forward Kelly Oubre, Jr. So was Wizards rookie Tomas Satoransky, though he had a more outside chance of making the cut.

Oubre, 21, was excluded from the 10-man roster for the U.S.A. team despite emerging as the sixth man for a Wizards team that is 25-20 this season. He has been a valuable piece particularly on defense and has been a key part of their resurgence after beginning the season 2-8.

To be fair, it is a crowded mix of young players. At his position, Oubre would have needed to beat out Ingram, Marquese Chriss of the Suns and Jonathan Simmons of the Spurs. All are talented in their own right.

Wizards Insider J. Michael has some insight into why Oubre wasn't chosen:

[RELATED: John Wall 'hopeful' about being All-Star for 4th time]

 

Here is the full list of players set for the Rising Stars Challenge:

U.S. Team Roster

Devin Booker (Suns)
Malcolm Brogdon (Bucks)
Marquese Chriss (Suns)
Brandon Ingram (Lakers)
Frank Kaminsky (Hornets)
Jahlil Okafor (76ers)
D’Angelo Russell (Lakers)
Jonathon Simmons (Spurs)
Karl-Anthony Towns (Timberwolves)
Myles Turner (Pacers)

World Team Roster

Joel Embiid (76ers)
Danté Exum (Jazz)
Buddy Hield (Pelicans)
Nikola Jokic (Nuggets)
Trey Lyles (Nuggets)
Emmanuel Mudiay (Knicks)
Jamal Murray (Nuggets)
Kristaps Porzingis (Knicks)
Domantas Sabonis (Thunder)
Dario Saric (76ers)

[RELATED: Beal came up with Wizards' 'all-black' idea, and delivered]