Thunder’s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander to replace Pistons’ Derrick Rose in 2020 Taco Bell Skills Challenge

NEW YORK – Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander will replace Detroit Pistons guard Derrick Rose in the 2020 Taco Bell® Skills Challenge on Saturday, Feb. 15 at the United Center in Chicago.

Gilgeous-Alexander was previously selected to play for the World Team in NBA Rising Stars during NBA All-Star 2020 in Chicago.  The 21-year-old from Canada leads the Thunder in scoring (19.5 ppg), ranks second in rebounding (6.2 rpg) and is third in assists (3.2 apg) in his second NBA season.  A 2018-19 NBA All-Rookie Second Team selection, the 6-5 Gilgeous-Alexander was acquired by the Thunder in a trade with the LA Clippers in July 2019.

Rose, who won the 2009 Taco Bell® Skills Challenge as an NBA rookie with the Chicago Bulls, is unable to compete due to an adductor strain.  He leads the Pistons in scoring (18.5 ppg) and assists (5.8 apg) and is shooting a career-high 49.8 percent from the field.  The Chicago native is a three-time NBA All-Star selection and the 2010-11 Kia NBA MVP Award winner.

The 2020 Taco Bell® Skills Challenge is part of State Farm® All-Star Saturday Night, which also features the MTN DEW® 3-Point Contest and AT&T Slam Dunk.  All-Star Saturday Night will air live at 8 p.m. ET on TNT and ESPN Radio in the United States.  NBA All-Star 2020 will reach fans in more than 200 countries and territories in nearly 50 languages.

Gilgeous-Alexander will take the court for the 2020 NBA Rising Stars on Friday, Feb. 14 at the United Center, airing live at 9 p.m. ET on TNT and ESPN Radio.

Below is the list of participants for the 2020 Taco Bell® Skills Challenge.