There will be a Knicks player in the NBA's Rising Star Challenge after all.
Kevin Knox was announced as a replacement for Lonzo Ball of the US Team for the Friday, Feb. 15 game consisting of rookies and second-year players that takes place during All-Star Weekend.
Knox, 19, said last week that when he learned he was not going to participate in the game that he would use it as motivation.
"It's definitely some motivation for myself," Knox said. "I mean, my parents want me to look at it as just another chance for me to go out there, compete, get better, grow, and just learn more as a person so I can be able to make it to the real All-Star game. That's the ultimate goal."
Knox was the Knicks' first-round draft pick this year, selecting him with the ninth overall pick. He ranks seventh among NBA rookies with scoring, 12.5 points per game, and rebounding, 4.2 rebounds per game.
He was named the NBA Eastern Conference Rookie of the Month in December after averaging 17.1 poitns and six rebounds per game.
Ball withdrew from the game as he continues to recover from a sprained left ankle sustained on Jan. 19.