By Eurohoops Team/ info@eurohoops.net
New Orleans Pelicans forward Nicolo Melli has been chosen to replace Phoenix Suns center DeAndre Ayton in the World Team of the 2020 NBA Rising Stars, the NBA announced. Ayton will miss the game due to a sore left ankle.
Melli, a former All-EuroLeague forward, will participate in the All-Star weekend for the first time in his career. The Italian player and NBA rookie spent nine years in EuroLeague before signing with Pelicans in the 2019 offseason. He last played in Turkey with powerhouse Fenerbahce Beko.
In his debut NBA season so far, Melli has been averaging 6.1 points and 2.8 rebounds in 15.6 minutes over 42 games. He has been a starter in four matches.
The NBA also announced that Devin Booker has replaced injured All-Star Damian Lillard and Collin Sexton also replaced injured Tyler Herro.