The Knicks have had few highlights this season and no one worthy of a spot in the All-Star Game in two weeks. But they will have one representative on hand for All-Star Weekend as Kevin Knox was selected to play for Team USA in the Rising Stars Challenge.
The 19-year-old rookie has had his ups and downs, but he did earn Eastern Conference Player of the Month honors in December and is averaging 12.2 points per game, seventh among rookies.
While Knox has appeared to hit a rookie wall of late, struggling through a five-game stretch in which he shot just 13-for-51 before breaking out with a 19-point effort Monday in Charlotte, the Knicks are willing to pass on the opportunity for rest to acclimate the player they believe is a future All-Star to the star culture.