Two Former Longhorns Headline NBA All-Star Game

By Alex Layman in Special, Sports on February 16, 2012 at 3:02 pm | No Comments

Kevin Durant and LaMarcus Aldridge, both former second overall draft picks from UT-Austin, will represent the Western Conference this year at the annual NBA All-Star game.

This is the third straight All-Star selection for Durant, the NBA’s two-time reigning scoring champion and perennial Most Valuable Player candidate. He is currently averaging 27 points, eight rebounds, and three assists per game for the Western Conference with the Oklahoma City Thunder (22-7).

Durant will also be the head coach of the West Celebrity All-Star squad. The celebrity game is a tradition during All-Star weekend that features well-known musicians, actors, and former NBA All-Stars. Last year, Justin Bieber took home Celebrity MVP.

Aldridge, the captain of the scrappy Portland Trail Blazers team that’s vying for the playoffs, suffered an ankle sprain this week against the Washington Wizards but should be able to return in time for All-Star Weekend.

This is Aldridge’s first time playing in the All-Star showcase, after he was notoriously snubbed last year. This time around, NBA coaches noticed his stellar play performance and voted him onto the team.

 Kevin Durant. Photo courtesy Flickr user Keith Allison.

Tags: All-Star Weekend, kevin durant, LaMarcu Aldridge, Longhorn basketball