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4 youngsters who could make their first NBA All-Star game

By Elaine Blum

Nov 10, 2021; Memphis, Tennessee, USA; Memphis Grizzles guard Ja Morant (12) dribbles as Charlotte Hornets guard LaMelo Ball (2) defends during the first half at FedExForum. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 10, 2021; Memphis, Tennessee, USA; Memphis Grizzles guard Ja Morant (12) dribbles as Charlotte Hornets guard LaMelo Ball (2) defends during the first half at FedExForum. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-USA TODAY Sports /
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4 youngsters who could make their first NBA All-Star game
DENVER, CO – JANUARY 21: Ja Morant #12 of the Memphis Grizzlies reacts against the Denver Nuggets at Ball Arena on January 21, 2022 in Denver, Colorado, 4 youngsters who could make their first NBA All-Star game. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ethan Mito/Clarkson Creative/Getty Images) /

The NBA All-Star Game features twenty-four of the league’s best players. The group is selected by fan votes, current player votes, votes from the media, and votes from the 30 NBA coaches.

Many of these players are experienced All-Stars who have already received the honor more than once – Stephen Curry, Lebron James, and Kevin Durant, for example. This season, though, at the All-Star Game in Cleveland, a couple of younger players have the chance to make their first All-Star appearance.

*Stats valid as of January 22

Youngsters who could make their first NBA All-Star game: 1. Ja Morant

The Memphis Grizzlies’ 22-year-old point guard is currently in second place in the Western Conference Guard fan voting, right behind Curry. It is only his third season in the NBA, but the former number two draft pick made a huge improvement in his game this year.

He is putting up averages of 24.7 points, 5.8 rebounds and 6.9 assists as he leads the Memphis Grizzlies to one of their best seasons in a while. The only other players who are currently averaging at least twenty-four points, five rebounds and six assists are Stephen Curry, LeBron James, Luka Doncic, and Nikola Jokic.

Considering this jump from his averages last season (19.1 points, 7.4 assists, and 4.0 rebounds) and the fact that he is scoring impressively in the paint for a player of his size and build, Morant is a valid candidate for the Most Improved Player award this season.

Golden State Warriors star Draymond Green, for one, believes that with his athleticism, speed, and explosiveness Morant is above that, however. Green thinks Morant should be considered for the Most Valuable Player award instead.

The competition in the Western Conference’s guard category is fierce but with his current performances on the court and amount of fan votes after the third return (2,623,359) Ja Morant’s chances to make his first All-Star appearance as a starter look pretty good.