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Duke basketball players Kyrie Irving, Jayson Tatum and Zion Williamson were in the starting lineup for Team Durant in the 2021 NBA All-Star Game. But that night, Tatum and Williamson were the replacement starters for Kevin Durant and Joel Embiid, respectively.
Related: List of all Blue Devils currently in the NBA
This year, fans, media and players have voted Irving, Tatum and Williamson into the 10 starters for the NBA All-Star Game on Feb. 19 in Salt Lake City, the league announced Thursday night. This makes him the most voted starter from one school in the same year in the history of the event.
Only six of the starters are former college players. The former Blue Devils trio therefore make up half of all starters selected in this go-round and he 30%.
Kyrie Irving (29-19), who averaged 27.2 points, 5.1 rebounds and 5.2 assists with the Brooklyn Nets, was named an All-Star for the eighth time in his 12-year professional career. This is the sixth time the 30-year-old guard has been selected as a starter.
Jayson Tatum averaged career-highs of 31.1 points, 8.7 rebounds and 4.4 assists for the Eastern Conference leaders Boston Celtics (35-15) and made his fourth consecutive All-Star Game appearance. However, this is the first time the 24-year-old forward has been selected as a starter.
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Zion Williamson, who averaged 26.0 points, 7.0 rebounds and 4.6 assists for the New Orleans Pelicans (26-23), is now a two-time All-Star and first-time starter. But the 22-year-old forward has been sidelined for at least two more weeks with a hamstring injury, so it’s unclear if he’ll be on the court in Salt Lake City.
The league’s head coach has decided on the reserves, which will be announced next Thursday. Former Duke Basketball one-and-done and Orlando Magic rookie Paolo Banchero could be one of them.
Related: Blue Devils threaten NBA All-Star program record
Los Angeles Lakers superstar LeBron James and Milwaukee Bucks sensation Giannis Antetokounmpo received the most votes in their conference. So just before the game they draft a team named after them.
That means we’ll have to wait and see if Kyrie Irving, Jayson Tatum, and Zion Williamson will be teammates for the NBA All-Star Game, as in 2021.
Related: Stack all 26 Duke One and Don in History
For daily Duke basketball content, keep an eye on Blue Devil Country.
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