The Los Angeles Lakers have had a rough season, to say the least. Behind all the losing, however, has been the emergence of a nice core of young players ready to lead the next era of Lakers’ basketball.
Two of those young players, rookie D’Angelo Russell and sophomore Jordan Clarkson, represented their team in the annual Rising Stars Challenge at the 2016 All-Star Weekend. The two certainly did not disappoint, putting up big numbers and helping lead Team USA to a win over their Canadian counterparts.
Clarkson, perhaps the biggest steal of the 2014 draft, got everything going, hitting four threes early in the game. The former Missouri player scored 25 points while adding five rebounds and five assists. It was a nice showing from the combo guard as he gave everyone a glimpse of his potential going forward.
Jordan Clarkson highlights from the #BBVARisingStars game. JC racked up 25 points in the win! #NBAAllStarTOhttps://t.co/0QIsp05Mn3
— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) February 13, 2016
D’Angelo Russell, meanwhile, had a great game of his own. The point guard came off the bench, something he is used to because his fulltime coach is Byron Scott. Nevertheless, the former Ohio State Buckeye put on a show, finishing with 22 points and dishing out seven assists, many of which were of the spectacular variety.
The Lakers present may be fractured and ugly, but the future of the team is in good hands with this duo being joined by other young players like Julius Randle and Larry Nance, Jr. The guards gave a large audience a glimpse of part of that future on Friday.
Clarkson will also be part of the festivities on Saturday as he will perform in the Skills Challenge.