The NBA announced its player pool for the 2024 All-Star weekend G League Up Next Game and Oklahoma City Thunder two-way rookie Keyontae Johnson was one of 28 participants.
In 21 games with the OKC Blue, Johnson has averaged 20 points on 53.3% shooting and 6.9 rebounds. The 23-year-old has appeared in six games for the Thunder this season.
“He’s grown a lot as a player,” Blue head coach Kameron Woods said on the possibility. “For him to be recognized, to have a chance to play in it, that would be amazing.”
Woods, who’s in his second season as the Blue head coach, was also supportive of the G League tournament concept, stating it aligns with its experimental history.
“I think the league as a whole being kind of experimental with rules and different things like that are good. I think they’re good challenges for coaches,” Woods said. “They’re good challenges for players because they’re different. And that falls in that category. I don’t really know what’s going to come out of it but I know it’ll be good for whoever’s in it.
“And you know, all the experimental rules they do, all the things that are unique to the league, I think are unique for the coaches and everybody that’s a part of it as well. So I think all those things are good.”
The event will feature four teams of seven players competing in a single-elimination tournament. Each team will be coached by a G League head coach. Players will be drafted by four social media influencers.
The full 28-player pool can be read below:
The tournament will be held during All-Star weekend on Sunday, February 18 at 1:30 p.m. C.T.
