Atlanta Hawks center Pero Antic selected to BBVA Compass Rising Stars Challenge

Jan 8, 2014; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Hawks center Pero Antic (6) reacts after shooting a three in the second half against the Indiana Pacers at Philips Arena. The Hawks won 97-87. Mandatory Credit: Daniel Shirey-USA TODAY Sports

Attention, Macedonia. He’s in.

Pero Antic has been selected as a participant in the BBVA Compass Rising Stars Challenge. The Rising Stars Challenge will be played on Friday, February 14th in New Orleans. The Rising Stars Challenge (formerly the Rookie/Sophomore game) has been an exciting part of NBA All-Star Weekend for a couple of years now, and each year, it seems like it gets better and better. This year, one of Atlanta’s very own will be representing the Hawks.

Antic expressed his thanks to the coaching staff and his teammates in a tweet seen above. The 31-year-old big man, who is currently ruled out for the next week or so due to injury, should be ready to go for All-Star Weekend.

In his rookie season, Pero Antic has averaged 5.8 points per game, 3.4 rebounds per game, and 1.0 assist per game in 15.5 minutes with just eight starts. In addition, Antic ranks fourth in 3-point FG% (.367), and tenth in rebounds per game among rookies.

Antic is the first player in NBA history from Macedonia and thus, the first Macedonian to be selected to the BBVA Compass Rising Stars Challenge. According to the official press release, he is also just the fifth player in franchise history to appear in the game joining Al Horford, Alan Henderson, Josh Smith, and Jason Terry.

We could see the 31-year old put on quite a show while being around all those young guys, and I would expect some insane lobs from the creative-passing Antic to all the guys that can go up and get it, regardless of what team he winds up playing for in the game.