The NBA All Star Weekend starts on February 17 at Salt Lake City in Utah. As Part of the All- Star Weekend superstars will compete in NBA All Star Skill Challenge Contest. Three teams were announced for the Skill Challenge contest.
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NBA All- Star Skill Challenge Participants:
Team Antetokounmpo:
- Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee Bucks
- Thanasis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee Bucks
- Alex Antetokounmpo, Wisconsin Herd
Team Jazz:
- Jordan Clarkson, Utah Jazz
- Walker Kessler, Utah Jazz
- Collin Sexton, Utah Jazz
Team Rookies:
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- Paolo Banchero, Orlando Magic
- Jaden Ivey, Detroit Pistons
- Jabari Smith Jr., Houston Rockets
Competition Format
The Kia Skills Challenge is a three-round competition with three teams of three players. The team with the most “Challenge Points” after three rounds will be the champion. The event, which began in 2003 as part of the run-up to the All-Star Game, seeks to highlight the ball skills of the NBA stars who participate.
Round 1: Team relay
Teams compete one at a time. All players from each team participate in a timed relay. Each player must complete the course with dribbling, shooting( free throw, 3-pointer shot), and passing.
The winning team earns 100 “Challenge Points.”
Tiebreaker – Teams choose one player to repeat the course, and the team with the player who has the fastest time will advance. If a second tie occurs, teams choose a different player to repeat the course.
Round 2: Team Passing
Teams compete one at a time. All three players participate together. Each team must make at least one pass attempt at three oversized passing targets that vary in size and distance. The team with the most total points wins. The same as before the winning team earns 100 “Challenge Points.”
Round 2 Tiebreaker :
- Total number of passes made.
- Total number of chest passes made.
- A total number of outlet passes made.
Round 3: Team Shooting
Teams compete one at a time. All three players participate together with one ball. Each team has 60 seconds to amass points while shooting from five different spots on the court. Shots made from each shooting location have different values. The winning team earns 200 “Challenge Points.”
Round 3 Tiebreaker:
The tied teams will choose one player from their respective team to shoot from Spot 5. Each player will attempt at least one shot. Any player who makes a shot will be given an additional attempt. If no players make their shot, all players will be given an additional attempt. The last player to make a shot will win the tiebreaker.
NBA All-Star Game Skill challenge winners
The first edition of the NBA Skills Challenge was won by the legend Jason Kidd and since then 19 editions have been played, including other league stars such as Steve Nash, Dwyane Wade, Stephen Curry, Tony Parker, and Derrick Rose among the winners.
Read More: Everything You Need to Know About NBA All Star Game