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SALT LAKE CITY — Despite the Jazz resting for a few days between games, they still made some news.
In the morning, Gordon Hayward was selected to the BBVA Rising Stars Challenge, with the Jazz announcing the signing of DeMarre Carroll at 5 p.m.
Assistant coaches from across the NBA selected Hayward. Each team submitted one ballot to create two nine-team rosters. The 6-8 forward from Butler has averaged 9.8 points per game in his sophomore season.
The Rising Stars Challenge is the All-Star event that was previously known as the Rookie-Sophomore game. This year, it still involves rookies and sophomores, but unlike years in the past, the two classes won't be on opposite teams. Shaquille O'Neal and Charles Barkley will select the teams.
Hayward will be the sixth Jazz player to participate in the event, the last being Paul Millsap and Ronnie Brewer in 2008. The first to play was Bryon Russell in 1994. Millsap, Andrei Kirilenko and Deron Williams participated their rookie and sophomore years.
The game will take place Friday Feb. 24, in Orlando. O'Neal and Barkley will draft their nine-man teams on Thursday Feb. 16.
Eligible Jazz players that weren't invited to participate in the game include Derrick Favors, Jeremy Evans, Alec Burks and Enes Kanter, despite a video campaign for the event.
Notable rookies in the event include Kyrie Irving of the Cleveland Cavaliers and Ricky Rubio of the Minnesota Timberwolves. Most notable sophomores is reining Rookie of the Year Blake Griffin of the Clippers. The full list can be found HERE.
Carroll is a 6-8 forward from Missouri. He is in his third year in the NBA. He was cut earlier this season by Denver after playing four games. Last season he played for the Rockets, Grizzlies and the NBDL's Dakota Wizards. The Grizzlies selected him with the 27th pick in the 2009 draft. The terms of his signing weren't released.
While playing for Dakota he averaged 18.3 points and 6.8 rebounds in his six games in the developmental league. In college he averaged 16.6 points and 7.2 rebounds his senior year. His best year in the NBA was his rookie year where he played in 71 games and started one with the Grizzlies.
Carroll is expected to practice with the team Thursday morning.
