Raptors' Barnes, Achiuwa named to Rising Stars challenge

Toronto Raptors rookie Scottie Barnes and sophomore Precious Achiuwa have been selected to participate in the Rising Stars Game at NBA All-Star Weekend later this month in Cleveland.

Raptors rookie Scottie Barnes has been selected to participate in the newly revamped Rising Stars Game at all-star weekend in Cleveland later this month.

Sophomore Precious Achiuwa will join Barnes in the Rising Stars Game. He was also voted in by the assistant coaches.

Barnes, 20, was selected with the No. 4 overall pick in last summer's draft and has impressed in his first season as a pro. The Florida State product enters play Tuesday averaging 14.7 points and 7.7 rebounds per game on 47.2 per cent shooting in 40 games. 

Achiuwa, in his first season with the Raptors after coming over in a sign-and-trade last year that saw Kyle Lowry land with the Miami Heat, is averaging 7.7 points and 7.3 rebounds through 39 games this season. The Port Harcourt, Nigeria, native was selected No. 20 overall in the 2020 draft.

The pool of 28 players was selected by NBA assistant coaches and features 12 rookies, 12 sophomores and four players from the NBA G-League's Ignite team. Those players will be separated into four seven-man teams and compete in a bracket style tournament on Friday, Feb. 18, the opening night of All-Star festivities.