Lin to play in Rising Stars Challenge at All-Star Weekend

Feb 17, 2012, 3:18 GMT

By Paul Levine, dpa =

Los Angeles (dpa) - After nearly two weeks of Linsanity, Jeremy Lin of the New York Knicks was invited on Thursday to play in the Rising Stars Challenge as part of NBA All-Star weekend.

Lin has captivated the NBA world in a short time, with his passionate unselfish play while putting up remarkable numbers, since the bench-warmer was inserted into the rotation.

The undrafted and unheralded 23-year-old from Harvard, twice cut by NBA teams has averaged a 24.4 points, 4.0 rebounds and 8.1 assists while sparking the Knicks to a season-high seven-game winning streak.

In that time, the NBA's first American Taiwanese player has become the biggest feel good story in sport this year.

However, because of his overnight meteoric rise, Lin was omitted from the draft pool by the league's 30 assistant coaches for the rookie-sophomore exhibition contest to be played Friday, February 24 at Orlando's Amway Arena that kicks off All-Star Weekend.

The two squads were to be comprised of 18 players, nine on each side. While TNT analysts and general managers Charles Barkley and Shaquille O'Neal were preparing to make their selections, fellow TNT analyst Kenny Smith stepped in and came to the rescue.

After announcing the addition of Miami Heat Norris Cole to the rookie pool, Smith, the honorary commissioner for the game, made Lin available to the draft list of eligible sophomores.

'I couldn't hold it in anymore I am now adding Linsanity,' said Smith. 'This is what the commissioner does. You give the people what they want, when they want it and why they want it.'

'I want to congratulate you for putting Linsanity on the board,' Barkley told Smith. 'It was really stupid how the league denied him in the beginning. It's the best story in sports.'

Lin was selected by O'Neal third overall after opening the draft by taking LA Clippers star Blake Griffin and Barkley followed by choosing Cleveland Cavaliers point guard Kyrie Irving.

'I was surprised Charles didn't take Lin, so I had to take him,' O'Neal said.

Barkley defended his decision to pass on Lin by saying: 'He's only played a week. It's been a fantastic week, but it's a week.'

Lin will play for Team Shaq along with Spanish rookie point guard Ricky Rubio of the Minnesota Timberwolves, Detroit Pistons centre Greg Monroe and Charlotte Bobcats guard Kemba Walker and Griffin, among others.

Irving, John Wall of the Washington Wizards, and Sacramento Kings DeMarcus Cousins headline the Team Chuck roster.