Former Kentucky Wildcats featured in NBA All-Star Skills Challenge

In the near future, the NBA All-Star game will overrun by former Kentucky Wildcats. But until some of the younger guys get on that level, I guess Big Blue Nation will have to settle for ex-Cats being featured throughout All-Star weekend.

Four former Kentucky guys have been selected to participate in the NBA Skills Challenge. DeMarcus Cousins and Anthony Davis will be on the “bigs” side of the bracket alongside Kristaps Porzingis and Joel Embiid, and John Wall and Devin Booker will compete against Isaiah Thomas and Gordon Hayward on the guards side.

Karl-Anthony Towns won the Skills Challenge last year, defeating Isaiah Thomas in the finals, but has elected not to defend his title this year. Since there are only 8 contestants in the event, there is a 50/50 chance that the winner will be a Wildcat.

The Skills Challenge takes place on Saturday during All-Star Weekend (February 17-19), which is being held in New Orleans, LA. On Friday, Jamal Murray and Trey Lyles (World) will be taking on KAT and Devin Booker (US) in the Rising Stars Challenge.

The actual All-Star game on Sunday will feature DeMarcus Cousins and Anthony Davis (starter) representing the Western Conference and John Wall playing for the Eastern Conference.

The current Kentucky Wildcats will be playing the Georgia Bulldogs down in Athens that Saturday, but I would be surprised if Coach Cal did not make an appearance down in NOLA to exploit his former players for some recruiting PR.

Check back here the same time next year for announcements about De’Aaron Fox’s participation in the Skills Challenge and Malik Monk as a competitor in the 3-point contest. You know what...maybe they should just plan the 2020 NBA All-Star Weekend to take place in Lexington.