Mason in, Mirza out of Rising Stars Challenge

Mason Plumlee was drafted at No. 22 but has played well enough to make one of the nine slots reserved for rookies in the 2014 BBVA Rising Stars Challenge on February 14 in New Orleans.

"This is a great honor for Mason and the Nets organization," said Billy King. " He has worked extremely hard from the first day of training camp at Duke to the present, and this selection is a testament to his work ethic. We look forward to his continued development."

King had said in training camp that he thought the 7-footer would spend a lot of time in Springfield, playing for the D-League Armor. Instead, he's been, at times, part of the Nets rotation.

A total of 18 players are selected for the challenge, nine each from the rookie and sophomore class. There had been some hope that Mirza Teletovic would also make it.  He is still in line for the three-point shooting contest.

The former Duke Blue Devil has appeared in 33 games while averaging 5.6 points on .629 (66-105) shooting, 3.0 rebounds and 0.67 blocks per game (sixth among rookies). He scored a season-high 19 points Nov. 16, 2013 against the Clippers and recorded his first-career double-double with 15 points and 13 rebounds Dec. 31, 2013 against the Spurs.

• Rising Stars Challenge Players Announced - Basketball Insiders
• Plumlee selected for Rising Stars - Mike Mazzeo - ESPN New York
• Mason Plumlee Selected To Play in BBVA Compass Rising Stars Challenge - Brooklyn Nets
• Knicks’ Hardaway, Nets’ Plumlee picked for rookie-soph game - Fred Kerber & Tim Bontemps - New York Post