Sixers Again to be Well-Represented in Rising Stars Challenge

PHILADELPHIA, PA – The fruits of the 76ers' development program, along with the team's budding, youthful diversity, will be on full display during All-Star Weekend.Wednesday, the NBA announced its invitees for this year's BBVA Compass Rising Stars Challenge, the annual showcase for the league's top 10 rookies and sophomores from the United States, and 10 of their counterparts from around the rest of the world.Jahlil Okafor landed a spot on the U.S. Team roster, while Joel Embiid and Dario Saric will compete for the World Team contingent.This marks the third consecutive year that the Sixers will send multiple players to the Rising Stars Challenge. Okafor and Nerlens Noel were picked for the American team last year (Noel didn't play due to injury). In 2015, Team U.S.A featured Noel, Robert Covington, and Michael Carter-Williams, a 2014 member of the American squad.Through 31 appearances this season, Okafor, the third choice in the 2015 draft, is averaging 11.2 points and 4.8 rebounds in 23 minutes per game. The native Chicagoan was an All-Rookie First-Team award recipient a year ago. Embiid and Saric have each displayed plenty of promise three months into their respective NBA careers. Both were originally acquired via the 2014 draft – Embiid with the third pick, and Saric, the 12th selection, by trade. Embiid's debut was delayed until this fall because of injury. Saric, on the other hand, opted to spend the past two seasons in Europe. The reigning Eastern Conference Player of the Week, Embiid is the only first-year player to average double-figures in scoring. In 30 contests, he has manufactured 19.8 points per game, third-most among all NBA first and second-year players. The 22-year old Cameroonian paces his rookie peers with averages of 7.8 rebounds and 2.5 blocks as well. Embiid has churned out a rookie-class best nine double-doubles, too. Saric is coming off his 20th double-digit showing of the season Tuesday, having provided 16 points off the bench to help the Sixers win for the ninth time in 12 games. The Croatian is second on the rookie scoring and rebounding charts (9.6 ppg, 5.9 rpg), and has connected on 55 3-pointers, second-most among this season's first-year prospects.The 2017 Rising Stars Challenge will be held Friday, February 17th at Smoothie King Center, site of this year's All-Star Game, which will be staged two days later.The Sixers