Andrew Wiggins voted as NBA All-Star Game starter
Golden State Warriors guard Andrew Wiggins can add All-Star Game starter to his resume.
Wiggins is heading to his first All-Star Game, the NBA announced Thursday — and he’ll be a starter. The former Kansas star is one of two Warriors in the Western Conference starting lineup, joining Stephen Curry.
Wiggins is averaging 18.1 points per game and shooting 44.8% from the field, including 34.8% from three-point territory. The former No. 1 draft pick is in his second season with the Warriors after coming over in a trade from the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Wiggins isn’t the only former Kansas player to compete in this year’s All-Star game, though. Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid is a starter for the Eastern Conference.
In fact, the two were teammates with the Jayhawks during the 2013-14 season. Wiggins averaged 17.1 points per game and earned Big 12 Freshman of the Year honors that season. Embiid, meanwhile, averaged 11.2 points and 8.1 rebounds per game as a freshman and won Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year.
Wiggins went No. 1 overall to the Timberwolves in the 2014 NBA Draft and the 76ers took Embiid at No. 3 overall.
The two are going to be on opposing sides during February’s All-Star Game, though. Wiggins plays in the Western Conference and Embiid plays in the Eastern Conference.
NBA announces All-Star Game starters
The full NBA All-Star Game rosters were announced on “Inside the NBA” on TNT on Thursday night. Voting came via media, players and fan balloting.
Curry, Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant, Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James and Denver Nuggets forward Nikola Jokic will start alongside Wiggins at the game in February. The NBA will reveal the All-Star Game reserves on Feb. 3.
The Eastern Conference starters were announced Thursday night, as well. Embiid, Brooklyn Nets star Kevin Durant, Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo, Chicago Bulls forward DeMar DeRozan and Atlanta Hawks guard Trae Young were all selected.
The 2022 NBA All-Star Game is coming up on Feb. 20 at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse in Cleveland.