CHICAGO — The Orlando Magic had three players (Cole Anthony, Franz Wagner and Jalen Suggs) selected to participate in the All-Star Weekend’s Rising Stars competition one hour before tipoff for Tuesday’s matchup with the Chicago Bulls.
Despite the trio, along with Wendell Carter Jr. (team-high 24 points, 8 rebounds, 6 assists) stepping up, the Magic fell to the Bulls 126-115.
Anthony had 20 points, 9 assists and 6 rebounds. Wagner finished with 22 points (9 of 16) and 3 assists. Suggs recorded 9 points, 7 assists and 5 rebounds.
“It’s a great opportunity for them, just understanding the work they’ve put in,” coach Jamahl Mosley said ahead of Tuesday’s game. “You want to see some of those results for the guys who have put that work in and being recognized for what they’ve done on the court.”
Anthony, a second-year guard out of North Carolina, averaged a team-high 17.8 points, 6 assists and 5.9 rebounds entering Tuesday. His points average was the fourth-highest among rookies and second-year players.
“It’d be pretty cool,” Anthony said about being selected for the competition Tuesday morning ahead of the announcement. “I got snubbed from some stuff last year. It’d be cool to get a little bit of recognition. I’m not entitled to anything, but I’m very confident in the work I’ve put in.”
Wagner, the No. 8 pick in last year’s draft, was averaging 15.7 points (46.4% shooting), 4.6 rebounds and 2.9 assists. His points average is the second-highest among rookies behind Detroit Pistons guard Cade Cunningham (16.1). Wagner, who’s played and started in all 52 of the Magic’s games, was named the December Eastern Conference Rookie of the Month after averaging 19.5 points, 5.1 rebounds and 3.1 assists.
“Just being there for All-Star weekend is something you’ve got to enjoy and cherish,” he said. “Nothing’s guaranteed.”
Suggs, the No. 5 pick, averaged 12.4 points, 4 assists and 3.7 rebounds entering Tuesday. He’s averaged 12.7 points (46.6% shooting), 5 assists and 4.3 rebounds in his nine games since returning from a fractured right thumb that sidelined him for 20 games from December through mid-January.
Mosley said he’s looking forward to his three young players being able to learn from others in Cleveland for All-Star Weekend (Feb. 18- 20). Anthony will reportedly compete in the Slam Dunk Contest on Feb. 19.
“You get around a certain group of guys and they’re talking about the games and the situations they’re in, you’re listening to vets talking about their experiences,” Mosley added. “It’s great for those guys to feel a part of that and get that understanding as they grow through the league.”
The Rising Stars format will be altered starting this season, featuring four seven-player teams competing in a mini-tournament consisting of three games instead of a single exhibition as in previous years. Each game will be played to a target score. The pool of 28 players for Rising Stars will consist of 12 first-year NBA players, 12 second-year NBA players and four young players from the G League Ignite team.
