Rudy Gobert Headlines Utah Jazz Rising Stars

Feb 13, 2015; New York, NY, USA; U.S. Team guard Trey Burke of the Utah Jazz (3) and World Team center Rudy Gobert of the Utah Jazz (27) talk during the second half at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports

NBA All-Star Weekend 2015 is underway in New York City with three Utah Jazz rising stars in attendance for events. In a new format that made for a competitive, entertaining game, Trey Burke went up against Dante Exum and Rudy Gobert in a World vs. USA tilt that stayed close until the end.

This BBVA Rising Stars Challenge was the best rendition of the event in it’s 21 year history — there was no game in the 1999 NBA lockout season.

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Dante Exum

Coming off the bench, Dante Exum was immediately aggressive, encouraging for Utah Jazz fans since he’s often somewhat timid showing trepidation during regular season games this year. Exum was clearly comfortable among peers closer to his age group and experience level.

Once again we got a flash of that amazing that keeps us coming back for more Dante Exum with this crazy move that seems more suited to a video game than real life.

Exum would finish with 4 points on 2-4 shooting, 3 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals and 3 turnovers in 16:40.

Trey Burke 

On the opposite bench, Trey Burke would also play reserve, coming in and going right to work.

Burke had a strong showing for Team USA, his knack for the clutch keeping his domestic ‘mates within shouting distance late.

While he struggled from behind the arc, 1-6, much like he often has during the season for the Jazz, Burke made up for it with an overall 8-14 from the floor for 17 points, adding a rebound, 4 assists (3 turnovers) and 2 steals in 24 minutes.

Despite late-game heroics, Burke’s Utah Jazz teammate stole the show and helped seal the win for Team World.

Rudy Gobert

What started out as a dunkfest in the BBVA Rising Stars Challenge quickly changed tone when Rudy Gobert took over the paint.

Many times, after watching a game with Rudy Gobert in it, you’ll click on the box score and say “Wait, the Stifle Tower only had three blocks? It felt like way more.”

The Utah Jazz’s rising star posted just such a game, logging only three blocks, but changing the game by forcing Team USA to account for his whereabouts at all times of his 20-plus minutes. It seemed like Rudy Gobert was everywhere.

Gobert punished the rim all night long in a flurry of hands and feet that stood out and plainly rose above the rest.

There’s a good chance that all 18 of Rudy Gobert’s points came as dunks, on an unstoppable 7-10 shooting. He also attracted rebounds like an electron magnet, a game-high 12 of them, or more than one a minute, while hitting all four of his free throws.

Rudy Gobert may have been robbed of the All-Star event’s hardware, but I think we all know who the real rising star was

Rudy Gobert was a lock for the BBVA Rising Stars Challenge MVP, so it came as no surprise when Andrew Wiggins‘ family were the only ones applauding in Madison Square Garden when he was announced as the game’s most valuable player.

Rudy Gobert may have been robbed of the All-Star event’s hardware, but I think we all know who the real rising star was.