Rising Stars Challenge 2018: Lakers get three representatives this year

The Los Angeles Lakers will have three representatives in the Rising Stars Challenge 2018 at the Staples Center.

While it still remains to be seen if any trades are going to be done within the Los Angeles Lakers, the good thing for them is that their young talent is getting plenty of recognition as we near the All-Star break, which will also be held in Los Angeles.

Kyle Kuzma, Lonzo Ball, and Brandon Ingram all made the cut for the Rising Stars Challenge 2018, as all three young stars are listed on the official, released rosters for the event.

We should’ve expected this achievement from both Ball and Ingram, but the fact that Kuzma has kept his excellent play up to this point is definitely something worth keeping an eye on. For Los Angeles to be able to compete for a championship sooner than later, they’re going to need their own version of a big three to stay healthy while also playing well when sharing the floor.

This season, all three have put up respectable stat lines. Rookie point guard Lonzo Ball is nearly averaging a triple double when it’s all said and done, posting a line of ten points, seven boards, and seven assists. Meanwhile, second year forward Brandon Ingram puts up more than 15 points per game in addition to being in the neighborhood of three assists and five rebounds each night.

As for Kuzma, his biggest points of interest so far have come in his unique scoring ability and also difference making on the glass. Thus far, he’s averaging just shy of 17 points per game along with six boards.

In his latest performance against Boston, the rookie forward came up clutch for Los Angeles, scoring 17 of his 28 points en route to a one-point victory over the rival Celtics.

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It will be interesting to see how the Lakers represent with them being the host team for the mid-season festivities this year, and it would be also great for their young guns to put out against the best young players from outside the United States.