If it weren't for college's one-and-done trend and early entries to the NBA Draft, Jahlil Okafor, Jabari Parker and Rodney Hood could all still be gracing the floors of Cameron Indoor Stadium.
The trio will be teammates for the first time during the NBA's All-Star Weekend
Three former Blue Devils will participate in the Rising Stars Challenge on Feb.12 at NBA All-Star weekend in Toronto. Okafor, Parker and Hood will join seven other players suiting up for Team USA against a roster of international rookies and second-year players.
The rosters for BBVA Compass Rising Stars Game were announced today! #NBAAllStarTO
Who ya got? pic.twitter.com/VEwZ4X4nYh
— NBA TV (@NBATV) January 28, 2016
Duke leads the way with three former players playing in the contest. Kentucky is not far behind with two former Wildcats—center Karl-Anthony Towns and forward Nerlens Noel—also playing for Team USA.
But Blue Devil fans can make the argument that they should've had another former Duke star on the roster.
Miami Heat forward Justise Winslow was not selected to play in the game despite making his mark halfway into his rookie season as one of the best young defenders in the league. The Houston native was passed up for a pair of Lakers in D'Angelo Russell and Jordan Clarkson, the Celtics' Marcus Smart, the Magic's Elfrid Payton and the Timberwolves' Zach Lavine, who round out Team USA's roster.
The Americans will face off against an international team headlined by Canadian native and 2014 Rookie of the Year Andrew Wiggins. The forward will have a chance to impress in front of his native country in Toronto alongside big man Kristaps Porzingis. Of the 10 players on the international squad, only Wiggins and forward Dwight Powell—a Stanford product—played a season of college basketball.
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