Isaiah Thomas wasn't supposed to be in the NBA's Rising Stars Challenge on Friday night. Picked last in the 2011 NBA Draft by the Sacramento Kings, Thomas isn't supposed to be in the league.
After the NBA's assistant coaches made their selections, Thomas didn't make the cut.
Serving as an honorary commissioner of the Rising Stars draft for a second year, TNT analyst and former King Kenny Smith added Thomas along with Minnesota's Ricky Rubio to the Rising Stars Challenge.
Smith's move wasn't unprecedented. In the Rising Stars' inaugural draft last year, Smith added Miami's Norris Cole and former New York guard Jeremy Lin while "Linsanity" reigned in the world of sports.
Thomas ended up playing for Charles Barkley's Team Chuck and the point guard from Tacoma, Wash. didn't disappoint playing against Shaquille O'Neal's Team Shaq.
As the smallest player on the court at five-feet-nine-inches, Thomas helped put on a show in Houston serving up alley-oops and drilling four three-pointers, two of which came on back-to-back shots after stealing an inbounds pass.
Thomas had 18 points, 10 assists, five rebounds and two steals in Team Chuck's 163-135 blowout of Team Shaq.
While Denver's Kenneth Faried won the game's Most Valuable Player award after finishing with 40 points and 10 rebounds, Thomas certainly made his case.
It hasn't been an easy season for Thomas. Kings coach Keith Smart benched Thomas three times earlier this season and his playing time has fluctuated throughout the season, even after he became the team's starting point guard.
Thomas is averaging a 12.1 points and 3.3 assists in 24.8 minutes per game, less time than he played last year in his rookie season.
Thomas has had some highlights this season, hitting the game-winner in Washington on Jan. 28 and scoring 23 points in the fourth quarter in a loss to Oklahoma City on Dec. 14, 2012.
Thomas still defies the odds by playing in the NBA:
It's a blessing from God. It shows my hard work and dedication and just showing that when given the opportunity, I can play with everybody in this league.
Thomas and the Kings will be back in action on Tuesday when they host the San Antonio Spurs on Monday at 7 p.m. PST.
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Isaiah Thomas Rising Stars Highlights
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