Jahlil Okafor and Nerlens Noel were selected to participate in this weekend's Rising Star Challenge during All-Star Weekend, and although Noel likely won't play, another Sixer will be in Toronto for TSN. The Canadian sports network station tabbed Sixers guard Nik Stauskas as their All-Star event reporter, working the red carpet and providing interviews, incite and analysis leading up to Sunday's big event. According to CSNPhilly.com's Jessica Camerato, Stauskas got his first television experience last summer when he did a media tour in Canada to raise awareness for Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis, a lung disease which has affected his grandmother.
"They want me to interview other celebrities as they're coming in," Stauskas said. "Friday, they want me to work on a panel as everyone is arriving in Toronto for the weekend at media availability. They want me after the All-Star practice to give reaction and tell stories from the player perspective … a whole bunch of other little things."
"I like being on TV," he said. "I like talking to people. I feel like I have a good personality for that so that's something I enjoy doing." [CSNPhilly.com]
Stauskas, 22, has had an up and down season for the Sixers, with injuries hampering some of his playing time as well. He's averaging 7.5 points and 2.3 rebounds per game, shooting 38 percent from the floor and just 33 percent from the beyond the arc. The former first round pick will get a break from the hard wood and get the opportunity to mingle with a handful of celebrities, one in particular that he'll have an eye out for when the festivities begin.
"I really hope I can interview Justin Bieber. I'm a huge fan," Stauskas said. "I honestly don't know what I'd ask him. That's something I'd have to prepare for. If I could interview JB, that'd be huge." [CSNPhilly.com]
The 2016 NBA All-Star game will take place in Toronto, Ontario from February 12th-14th. Kicking off the event will be the NBA All-Star Celebrity game at 7PM on Friday, followed by the BBVA Rising Stars Challenge at 9PM. All-Star Saturday Night begins at 8pm with the Taco Bell Skills Challenge. The Foot Locker Three-Point Contest will follow and the evening will conclude with the Verizon Slam Dunk Contest. The All-Star Game will tip-off at 8PM on Sunday, the 14th.\
Brandon Apter, Managing Editor for Sixerdelphia.com
