During the last week of January, we learned that Nerlens Noel and Michael Carter-Williams would represent the Sixers in the annual BBVA Compass Rising Stars Challenge at the All-Star Game this weekend. The bad news is MCW has been nursing a toe injury that will keep him out of the up and coming stars contest. The good news? He will be replaced by one of his Sixers teammates, according to Bob Cooney of the Daily News.
Covington in, MCW out. Robert Covington will play in Rising Stars game tomorrow night in place of Michael Carter-Williams. #NBAAllStarGame
— Bob Cooney (@BobCooney76) February 12, 2015
Covington has been a pleasant surprise for this young Sixers team. The 24-year-old out of Tennessee State is averaging 13.2 points, 1.5 assists and 4.7 rebounds in just over 28 minutes per game. Over his last ten games, Big Shot Bob has averaged 15.1 points a contest and 5.8 rebounds, both an increase from his overall season numbers.
In the Sixers last game against the Warriors, Covington scored 21 points on 7-15 shooting while also grabbing eight rebounds and stealing three. He has tallied six or more rebounds in four of the last five games before the All-Star break.
You can catch the Rising Stars Challenge on Friday night, February 13th, at 9pm on TNT.
