Friday, February 07, 2014

Sixers' MCW to compete in Skills Challenge

PHILADELPHIA – Sixers' star rookie point guard Michael Carter-Williams was one of eight players chosen to compete in the Skills Challenge, taking place during NBA All-Star Saturday Night. 

Last week, Carter-Williams was selected to compete in the Rising Stars Challenge.  Both events are part of NBA All-Star 2014 in New Orleans, with the Rising Stars game on Friday, February 14 and the Skills Challenge on Saturday, February 15.

Carter-Williams, who was the 11th overall pick by Philadelphia in the 2013 NBA Draft, leads all rookies in scoring (17.2 ppg), rebounding (5.4 rpg), assists (6.6 apg) and steals (2.24 spg).  He will become just the second Sixer (Jrue Holiday, runner-up in 2013) to compete in the Skills Challenge.

The Skills Challenge is introducing a new format this year that features four teams of two players each competing in a two-round timed relay-style course consisting of dribbling, passing and shooting stations.

Carter-Williams will be teamed with fellow rookie Victor Oladipo of the Orlando Magic.  They are one of two teams representing the Eastern Conference, joining DeMar DeRozan (Toronto) and Giannis Antetokounmpo (Milwaukee).

Representing the Western Conference is the team of Damian Lillard (Portland) and Trey Burke (Utah) and the team of Reggie Jackson (Oklahoma City) and Goran Dragic (Phoenix).

All teams must observe basic NBA ball-handling rules while completing the course.  The fastest team from each Conference during the First Round will advance to the Championship Round.  The fastest team in the Championship Round will win the 2014 Skills Challenge.

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