Brooklyn Nets Jarrett Allen
(Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)

Jarrett Allen and Rodions Kurucs are playing major roles for the Brooklyn Nets. The pair will appear in the Rising Stars Challenge.

The Brooklyn Nets are one of the best stories of the 2018-19 season. A team that was long forgotten by the national media is now resurfacing as one of the most exciting teams in the NBA. Second-year center Jarrett Allen, 20, and rookie swingman Rodions Kurucs, 20, are huge reasons for Brooklyn’s success this season.

Allen came on for head coach Kenny Atkinson in the second half of his rookie season. In his second year, Allen is becoming infamous for his jaw-dropping blocks.

Allen has his fair share of highlight-reel blocks, but he’s more than just a clip on SportsCenter’s Top 10 plays. Allen is averaging 11.3 points, 8.8 rebounds, 1.8 assists, and 1.5 blocks per game. His game is suited perfectly for today’s NBA and his gravity as a roll man opens up so many opportunities for his point guards to make plays.

Kurucs hasn’t been nearly as consistent as Allen this year, but he’s been instrumental in the Nets’ rise from Zion Williamson-hopeful to the sixth seed in the Eastern Conference. Since entering the starting lineup, Kurucs is averaging 10.6 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 1.0 assists per game.

But box score numbers rarely tell the full story. Watch Kurucs play for just a few minutes and it’s clear why he’s taken hold of a spot in the starting lineup. The Nets are 16-6 when Kurucs starts and his tireless energy is a huge reason for Brooklyn’s remarkable turnaround.

The game will take place on Feb. 15 at 9:00 p.m. ET at the Spectrum Center in Charlotte, North Carolina.

Commercial content writer for Sportradar. Never had the makings of a varsity athlete.