Jazz’s Trey Lyles replaces Bulls’ Nikola Mirotic in 2016 BBVA Compass Rising Stars Challenge
NEW YORK – Utah Jazz rookie forward Trey Lyles will replace injured World Team selection Nikola Mirotic of the Chicago Bulls in the 2016 BBVA Compass Rising Stars Challenge on Friday, Feb. 12 at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto.
The BBVA Compass Rising Stars Challenge at NBA All-Star features first- and second-year NBA players from the United States against first- and second-year NBA players from around the world. TNT will televise the BBVA Compass Rising Stars Challenge in the U.S. at 9 p.m. ET as part of Turner Sports’ 31st year of NBA All-Star coverage. Sportsnet ONE and TSN will simulcast the game in Canada.
Lyles, the 12th overall pick of NBA Draft 2015 presented by State Farm, is averaging 4.7 points and 4.0 rebounds in 18.1 minutes in 45 games. During a six-game stretch from Jan. 13-22, Lyles averaged 13.3 points (on 56.6 percent shooting from the field) and 5.2 rebounds in 28.8 minutes.
The 6-10 Lyles becomes the third Canadian on the World Roster, joining Dwight Powell of the Dallas Mavericks and Andrew Wiggins of the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Mirotic, a second-year forward from Montenegro, is sidelined after having an appendectomy and a hematoma removal. He is averaging 10.6 points and 5.9 rebounds in 44 games.
BBVA Compass is the Official Bank of the NBA in the United States and maintains its role as title partner for the BBVA Compass Rising Stars Challenge.