With the 2018 NBA All-Star break rapidly approaching, more and more names will be unveiled to participate in the weekend’s proceedings. A list of contestants for the dunk contest has already surfaced and features some of the best high-flyers the league has to offer, only adding to the built up hype.
There have also been a handful of participants for the three-point contest announced, leaving us with the skills challenge. Though LA Clippers guard Lou Williams was widely viewed as an All-Star snub this year, he’ll still have a chance to put his talents on display that same weekend. According to ESPN’s Chris Haynes, Williams will be one of the eight participants in the 2018 skills challenge:
LA Clippers guard Lou Williams to participate in the Skills Challenge during All-Star Weekend, league sources tell ESPN.
— Chris Haynes (@ChrisBHaynes) January 27, 2018
Lou Williams was the first name revealed to be a member of the skills challenge. Along with Williams, ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reports that rookie standout guard Donovan Mitchell will also be participating in the skills challenge:
Utah Jazz rookie Donovan Mitchell will participate in the Skills Challenge on All-Star weekend in Los Angeles, league sources tell ESPN.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) January 27, 2018
Though often overlooked, the skills challenge is a staple of All-Star weekend and these two names give an exciting peek at the field this year. Both Williams and Mitchell have had fantastic years in completely different context, but it will be fun to watch them battle it out come All-Star weekend.
Stay posted to DefPen for the rest of the field as the names release.
