Quentin Grimes wasn’t too surprised when he found out about his 2023 Jordan Rising Stars selection.
The second-year guard felt he’d played “pretty well” this year, especially when compared to others his age. And since an appearance in the event for first-year, second-year and G-League players was something Grimes wanted to accomplish, its manifestation Tuesday — when the NBA announced the 28 selections — has felt like a mix of “relief” and “honor.”
The Knicks don’t have an All-Star selection yet, but they’ll be represented at another event in Salt Lake City that same weekend.
“Definitely was a goal I had for myself going into this year,” Grimes said before the Knicks’ game Tuesday night against the Lakers, “so it’s definitely a huge honor just to kinda be selected … to be able to play in that game.”
Grimes, the No. 25 pick in last year’s draft following his collegiate career at Kansas and Houston, will be one of 10 second-year players to participate. Eleven rookies and seven G-League players were also chosen for the Feb. 17 tournament, and Grimes said he knows most of them.
Quentin Grimes has excelled for the Knicks in his second NBA season. Robert Sabo for the NY PostGrimes will become the ninth Knick to participate in the Rising Stars event — which has unfolded in a variety of formats — since the 2010-11 season, joining RJ Barrett, Kevin Knox, Frank Ntilikina, Willy Hernangomez, Kristaps Porzingis, Tim Hardaway Jr., Landry Fields and Jeremy Lin. Barrett, Porzingis and Fields were all selected twice, according to RealGM.
After only starting six games last year, and only appearing in 46 altogether, Grimes has become a staple in the Knicks’ lineup this season. He has averaged 10.3 points per game, emerged as a reliable defender and gradually worked into New York’s rotation after missing time at the start of the year due to a left foot injury — a return process, orchestrated by head coach Tom Thibodeau, that Grimes would later call a “blessing in disguise.”
Other second-year players to make the Rising Stars included Evan Mobley, Jalen Green and Scottie Barnes, while rookies Paolo Banchero, Jaden Ivey and Bennedict Mathurin highlighted the first-year selections. NBA assistant coaches selected the NBA representatives, according to the league’s release, while G-League players were chosen by the league office.
Grimes has emerged as a reliable defender for the Knicks this season. APPau Gasol, Jason Terry, former Knick Joakim Noah and former Nets guard Deron Williams will be “honorary head coaches” for the four teams that compete in the tournament’s three games.
“Great for [Grimes], great for our organization,” Thibodeau said Tuesday. “He’s worked really hard. I think people recognize his contributions to the team, and we’re happy for him.”
— Additional reporting by Zach Braziller
