Three former UK players named All-Stars

Then-freshman UK guard John Wall attempts a layup during a game against the Gamecocks at Rupp Arena. Photo by Zach Brake | Staff

Anthony Crawford

The full lineups for the NBA All-Star teams were announced Thursday night and former Cats John Wall, Anthony Davis, and DeMarcus Cousins all earned spots on the rosters.

The game will pit Cousins and Davis representing the West against Wall representing the East. It marks the second career All-Star selection for Cousins, while including this one, Wall and Davis have three so far in their careers.

Davis, who was an All-Star starter last year, is a reserve for this year’s game. The 6’10” forward is currently playing in his fourth season in the NBA and is coming off an All-NBA First Team appearance last season.

His team, the New Orleans Pelicans, have been bit hard by the injury-bug and currently find themselves near the bottom of the standings in the Western Conference. Davis is doing all he can to help as he is currently one of two players in the top ten in points and rebounds averaging 22.9 points per game and 10.2 rebounds per game.

The other player in the top ten in points and rebounds is Cousins. The sixth year center is having a career year, and has especially been on fire in the month of January.

Cousins is averaging 33.9 points per game and 13 rebounds per game since the start of the new year. He also set a career-high in back-to-back games with totals of 48 points against the Indiana Pacers and then 56 points against the Charlotte Hornets in the following game. His recent surge along with the great play of teammate and former Cat, Rajon Rondo, have been enough to put the Sacramento Kings just outside the playoff picture in the West.

Wall, the sole UK player representing the East, earned his spot in the lineup averaging nearly a double-double on the season with 19.6 points and 9.8 assists, which is tied for second in the NBA.

Wall and the Washington Wizards are currently two games back from the eight seed in the playoffs, but have had to overcome multiple injuries on the season. If the sixth year point guard can carry the Wizards into the playoffs then it will be the team’s third straight post season appearance.

The All-Star festivities start Feb. 12 with the NBA All-Star Celebrity Game and the BBVA Compass Rising Stars Challenge. The following day Cousins will be the first center to take part in the NBA All-Star Skills Challenge.

The weekend will be capped off with the All-Star game on Sunday at 8:30 p.m. Coverage for the event starts at 7 p.m. on TNT.