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Former Duke basketball dynamic duo to clash at NBA All-Star Weekend

By Kevin Connelly

COLUMBIA, SOUTH CAROLINA - MARCH 22: Zion Williamson #1 and RJ Barrett #5 of the Duke Blue Devils speak during a timeout against the North Dakota State Bison in the first half during the first round of the 2019 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Colonial Life Arena on March 22, 2019 in Columbia, South Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)
COLUMBIA, SOUTH CAROLINA - MARCH 22: Zion Williamson #1 and RJ Barrett #5 of the Duke Blue Devils speak during a timeout against the North Dakota State Bison in the first half during the first round of the 2019 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Colonial Life Arena on March 22, 2019 in Columbia, South Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images) /
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The former dynamic duo of the Duke basketball team, Zion Williamson and RJ Barrett, will go head-to-head at NBA All-Star Weekend in the Rising Stars Challenge.

RJ Barrett and Zion Williamson were one of the best duos in the history of Duke basketball and the first meeting between the two future NBA stars was halted due to the rehab process of Williamson’s knee.

The two are set to meet up at NBA All-Star Weekend but another injury could derail the two facing off against each other.

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Barrett and Williamson were named to the NBA Rising Stars Challenge, RJ on Team World and Zion on Team USA.

Zion Williamson was named to the team as an injury replacement to former Blue Devil Wendell Carter Jr. who was sidelined in early January for 4-6 weeks with a sever ankle sprain.

Carter Jr. was not named to the Rising Stars Challenge in his rookie season.

Williamson would not have been in the game after only playing a handful of games when the roster was announced, but through six games the former National Player of the Year is averaging 19.5 points, 8.2 rebounds, and 1.7 assists per game on 61.5 percent shooting and 66.7 percent from 3-point range.

However, Williamson’s Duke teammate, R.J. Barrett, also might have to miss the game with an ankle sprain of his own but the current Knicks star is hoping to play in the game.

The No. 3 overall pick in the 2019 NBA Draft twisted his ankle in a game back on January 14 and has not played since as he is hopeful for a return to practice this week.

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Barrett is averaging 14.1 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 2.5 assists in his rookie season while playing, and starting, in 41 games this season.

The 2020 NBA Rising Stars Game will take place on Friday, February 14 from the United Center in Chicago at 9:00pm EST and the game will be broadcasted on TNT.

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