New York Knicks guard RJ Barrett has been named to the World Team for the Rising Stars game during NBA All-Star weekend, the league announced Friday afternoon.
However, according to SNY's Ian Begley, the feeling at this time is that Barrett is unlikely to participate in the Rising Stars game as there is a cautious approach being taken with his ankle injury, per SNY league sources. The timetable on these injuries, of course, is always subject to change.
Barrett injured his ankle against the Suns on Jan. 16 and has been sidelined since, as the Knicks continue to evaluate the injury.
"RJ's getting better," head coach Mike Miller said at Friday's practice after the announcement came out. "He's progressing. He's not to the point where he's practicing yet, but he's doing some workouts on his own, so the progression would be we get to the point where hopefully he could practice next week maybe, and then that would put him on track where potentially he would be ready to play after he gets some practices. So he's on a path where that looks promising."
Barrett has appeared in 41 games this season for the Knicks, averaging 14.1 points, 5.2 rebounds and 2.5 assists per game in his first year.
Among his fellow rookies, Barrett ranks third in points and steals per game, and fifth in assists and rebounds per game.
Second-year center Mitchell Robinson was not named to the U.S. team. If there are any injuries to players currently on the team, Robinson could be added as an injury replacement.
Here are the full rosters for the Rising Stars Game:
Team USA
Miles Bridges, Forward, Charlotte Hornets
Wendell Carter Jr., Center, Chicago Bulls
Devonte' Graham, Guard, Charlotte Hornets
Tyler Herro, Guard, Miami Heat
Jaren Jackson Jr., Forward, Memphis Grizzlies
Ja Morant, Guard, Memphis Grizzlies
Kendrick Nunn, Guard, Miami Heat
Eric Paschall, Forward, Golden State Warriors
PJ Washington, Forward, Charlotte Hornets
Zion Williamson, Forward, New Orleans Pelicans
Trae Young, Guard, Atlanta Hawks
Team World
Nickeil Alexander-Walker, Guard, New Orleans Pelicans
DeAndre Ayton, Center, Phoenix Suns
RJ Barrett, Guard/Forward, New York Knicks
Brandon Clarke, Forward, Memphis Grizzlies
Luka Donicic, Guard/Forward, Dallas Mavericks
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Guard, Oklahoma City Thunder
Rui Hachimura, Forward, Washington Wizards
Svi Mykhailiuk, Guard/Forward, Detroit Pistons
Josh Okogie, Guard, Minnesota Timberwolves
Mortiz Wagner, Center, Washington Wizards
Ntilikina's status up in the air for Saturday
Frank Ntilikina sat out of Wednesday's game with a groin ailment that he said flared up prior to tipoff. Ntilikina practiced on Friday and said that his availability for Saturday's game will depend on how he feels during the day. Dennis Smith Jr., who several teams had expressed interest in trading for, played ahead of Ntilikina in the Knicks' loss to Charlotte earlier this week. If Ntilikina is healthy for Saturday's game against Indiana, it will be interesting to see who Mike Miller decides to start at point guard in place of the suspended Elfrid Payton.