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All-Star Weekend will be getting a big shake-up in 2023 as the NBA will reportedly introduce a G League Next Up Game. According to Mike Vorkunov of The Athletic, the G League Next Up Game will take place during the All-Star Weekend. Fans will be able to vote for some players as well.
Vorkunov announced the game on Twitter:
"There will be a G League All-Star Game of sorts this year at All-Star weekend. NBA is calling it the G League Next Up Game. Will have 24 G League players — 10 chosen by fan vote. All G League players currently on rosters & 2-way guys (min. 4 G League games this year) are eligible."
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The game will reportedly take place before the All-Star Game on Sunday, Feb. 19, at 3 p.m. ET and will be aired on NBA TV. Voting will open on Friday, Jan. 13, at 9 a.m. ET and close on Friday, Feb. 3, at 11:59 p.m. ET.
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It is unclear what led to the decision to host the Next Up Game for G Leaguers, however, the NBA arguably should have held the event on Friday, Feb. 17, which would have allowed it to shine on its own. Instead, it will likely be overshadowed by the build-up to the NBA All-Star Game.
Check out Mike Vorkunov's tweet below:
Sharife Cooper a lock for G League Next Up Game
Sharife Cooper was selected 48th overall in the 2021 NBA Draft by the Atlanta Hawks, however, his career has taken a while to take off. While he entered the league with plenty of fanfare, Cooper appeared in just 13 games in his rookie season, averaging just 3.0 minutes per game.
Cooper averaged 0.5 points, 0.4 rebounds, and 0.4 assists per game while shooting 21.4%, including 16.7% from 3-point range in the 2021-2022 season. In 22 G League games, he averaged 17.1 ppg, 4.0 rpg, 6.9 apg, 1.0 spg and 0.2 blocks per game while shooting 43.1%, including 36.1% from 3-point range, and 90.7% from the free-throw line.
He has broken out in a major way in his second professional season as he is averaging 31.0 ppg, 5.5 rpg, 7.5 apg and 1.5 spg. Cooper, who is leading the league in scoring, appears to be a lock to be selected to the G League Next Up Game due to a combination of his play and his online stardom.
Check out Sharife Cooper's highlights below:
