While he’s already been slated to play for team USA in the NBA’s Rising Stars Challenge as part of all-star weekend, rookie center Karl-Anthony Towns will also compete solo as part of the Skills Challenge, according to an announcement from the NBA.
The Skills Challenge is a relatively new addition to the NBA’s all-star Saturday night lineup, which also includes the Dunk Contest and Three-point contest, having been added in 2003. The NBA has toyed with the format of the Skills Challenge since then, and, according to the NBA, this is the first year that the event will feature larger frontcourt players.
Towns’ competition among the announced pool of NBA big men includes Demarcus “Boogie” Cousins, Anthony Davis, and recent NBA champ Draymond Green. Guards Patrick Beverley, CJ McCollum, Isaiah Thomas, and Jordan Clarkson will also compete. Though the NBA has announced that the Skills Challenge will retain its head-to-head, bracket structure from last season, matchups have yet to be announced.
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Towns will join his teammate Zach Lavine, who will be attempting to win back-to-back Dunk Contests, during all-star Saturday night, and both will play against fellow Timberwolf Andrew Wiggins during the Rising Stars Challenge on Sunday.
The Skills Challenge is set for Saturday, February 13 at 9:30pm
