Orlando Magic guards Arron Afflalo and Victor Oladipo have been selected to participate in the Foot Locker Three-Point Contest and Taco Bell Skills Challenge, respectively, at the 2014 NBA All-Star Weekend in New Orleans, La. Coverage for State Farm All-Star Saturday Night, which will be nationally televised by TNT on February 15, 2014, begins at 8 p.m. ET.
The Foot Locker Three-Point Contest pits the NBA’s premier three-point shooters against one another in one of All-Star Weekend’s most hotly anticipated contests. Afflalo will be the ninth Magic player in franchise history chosen to participate in the long-distance shootout, which originated during the 1986 NBA All-Star Weekend.
The Taco Bell Skills Challenge was introduced at NBA All-Star 2003 and features players competing in a timed obstacle course consisting of dribbling, passing and shooting stations. Oladipo is the second Magic player to be selected to the competition. Jameer Nelson was chosen as a participant in 2009, but was unable to participate due to an injury.
Oladipo has also been selected to participate in the BBVA Compass Rising Stars Challenge as part of 2014 NBA All-Star Weekend. The Rising Stars Challenge will take place on Friday, February 14 at 9 p.m. ET and will consist of both NBA rookies and sophomores selected by the NBA’s assistant coaches.
Selected in the first round (27th overall) of the 2007 NBA Draft by Detroit, Afflalo leads the Magic in scoring with 19.9 ppg. and is currently tied for eighth in the NBA in three-point field goal percentage (.427). Afflalo has led (or tied) the team in scoring a team-best 27 times, scored in double figures 45 times, had 20+ points 24 times and 30+ points four times, including a career-high 43 points on Dec. 3 at Philadelphia. Afflalo, who has connected on at least three three-pointers in 13 games this season, hit 8-of-11 attempts from long distance on Nov. 13 vs. Milwaukee and knocked down five in the third quarter, tying the franchise record for most three-pointers made in a quarter.
Selected in the first round (second overall) of the 2013 NBA Draft by Orlando, Oladipo was named the NBA’s Eastern Conference Rookie of the Month in December. He has led (or tied) the Magic in scoring seven times, in rebounding twice and in assists 12 times. Oladipo has scored in double figures 40 times and had 20+ points seven times, including a career-high 35 points on January 15 vs. Chicago. He tallied his first career triple-double with 26 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists on December 3 at Philadelphia.
