There were some big-time announcements for All-Star Weekend on the evening/night of Feb. 1 concerning the Chicago Bulls. The announcements on this night concerning the Bulls were in relation to the Rising Stars Challenge. The Bulls saw their breakthrough rookie sensation and former Illinois Fighting Illini star point guard Ayo Dosunmu selected for the Rising Stars Challenge.
Ayo was selected with the rookie squad for the Rising Stars Challenge on Feb. 1.
Looking at some of the other selections for the rookie roster for the Rising Stars Challenge, it seems like Dosunmu should be a slam dunk choice. And that’s exactly what happened for this rookie roster for the All-Star Weekend festivities in Cleveland, OH.
Ayo Dosunmu was a lottery pick. pic.twitter.com/VZREtPlTpL
— Bulls Talk (@NBCSBulls) February 2, 2022
Some of the other highlighting players for the rookie roster for the Rising Stars Challenge are the Orlando Magic forward Franz Wagner, Toronto Raptors forward Scottie Barnes, Detroit Pistons point guard Cade Cunningham, Houston Rockets guard Jalen Green, and Cleveland Cavaliers big man Evan Mobley, among many others.
Ayo Dosunmu becomes the Chicago Bulls first Rising Stars Challenge representative since Lauri Markkanen
And some of the highlighting players on the opposing side for the Rising Stars Challenge are Charlotte Hornets point guard LaMelo Ball, Minnesota Timberwolves shooting guard Anthony Edwards, Memphis Grizzlies guard Desmond Bane, Pistons wing Saddiq Bey, and Magic point guard Cole Anthony.
Dosunmu is the only Bulls player that will be competing in the Rising Stars Challenge this year. The last time that the Bulls had a player competing in the Rising Stars game was back in 2019 when All-Star Weekend was hosted in the United Center in Chicago. Power forward Lauri Markkanen competed for Team Wolrd in the 2019 Rising Stars game.
Markkanen was also the last rookie for the Bulls to compete in the Rising Stars Challenge.
Moreover, Dosunmu clearly deserved these honors for the Rising Stars Challenge. He’s really risen to the occasion of late for second-year head coach Billy Donovan and the Bulls of late. Just in the month of January, Dosunmu averaged around 10 points per game, four rebounds, four assists, one steal, and 0.5 blocks while shooting 53 percent from the field, 44 percent from beyond the arc, and 75 percent from the free-throw line.
Heading into a meeting with the Orlando Magic at home at the United Center on the night of Feb. 1, Dosunmu and the Bulls are sporting a record of 31-18.