Aussie rookie Josh Giddey receives huge NBA honour
Aussie rookie Josh Giddey continues to make milestones in the NBA after being selected for an All-star honour.
Only a day after breaking a Thunder record, Giddey also joined an elite group of players to have reached 500 points, 200 rebounds and 200 assists within the first 45 games.
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The other four players to have achieved this feat are James, Luka Doncic and LaMelo Ball.
Now, the young Aussie has been selected to play for the Rising Stars team, along with fellow Australian Dyson Daniels.
He has played in 44 games (all starts) this season and is averaging 11.6 points, 7.6 rebounds and 6.1 assists in 31.0 minutes per game.
Daniels has impressed in the G-League for the new Ignite team, created as an option for developing players in the NBA's second-tier competition.
The 18-year-old from Bendigo has averaged 11.3 points, 5.9 rebounds and 4.4 assists in 14 games to be one of four Ignite players chosen for the first time to compete in All-Star weekend
A projected first-round draft pick in June, Daniels has reinforced his status after opting not to follow Giddey's path and make his professional debut in the NBL.
Josh Giddey is officially and NBA Rising Star.
11.6 ppg
7.6 rpg
6.1 apg
Impressive rookie campaign for the Wizard of Aus so far. pic.twitter.com/iPTGuBFKqd— THE UNCONTESTED PODCAST (@The_Uncontested) February 2, 2022
Josh Giddey has been selected to play in the 2022 NBA Rising Stars Game at All-Star Weekend.
This Tweet brought to you by Captain Obvious.— Brandon Rahbar (@BrandonRahbar) February 2, 2022
Josh Giddey creates NBA history
Giddey recorded another double-double for the Thunder against the Portland Trailblazers this week.
His 11 double-doubles during his debut season was the most for a rookie player in the franchise's history (overtaking Russell Westbrook) and he also leads all rookies in 2021-22.
The Thunder snapped a seven-game NBA losing streak following Giddey's star performance.
This was more important to the Aussie than his stats.
"It's cool. The stats are all good but for me, it's all about winning and the more wins we can get, the happier I'll be," Giddey said post-game.
Gilgeous-Alexander, OKC's leading scorer, is out until after the All-Star break with a sprained right ankle.
with AAP
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