NBA Rumors: Jayson Tatum to play in Skills Challenge, Rising Stars game

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Jayson Tatum will do pretty much everything but rest at the NBA's All-Star Weekend.

The Boston Celtics forward will participate in the 2019 NBA Skills Challenge on Saturday, Feb. 16, in Charlotte, The Boston Globe's Gary Washburn reported Wednesday, citing a source.

Tatum also is expected to compete in the Rising Stars Challenge on Friday, Feb. 15, according to Washburn.

The Celtics sent a participant to the Skills Challenge -- which requires players to complete the basketball version of an obstacle course as fast as possible -- in each of the previous four seasons. Al Horford competed last year, while Isaiah Thomas represented the C's in each of the three years prior.

Tatum played in the Rising Stars Challenge last season as a rookie, tallying 15 points in 26 minutes, and at the time said he was "like a kid at a candy store" during All-Star Weekend.

The 20-year-old also has a chance to play in the All-Star Game itself, as he was fourth among Eastern Conference vote-getters in the frontcourt as of last week. All-Star starters will be announced Thursday night, with the announcement of reserves set for next Thursday.

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Some Celtics fans may prefer Tatum rest up for Boston's stretch run, but the Skills Challenge and Rising Stars Challenge don't require much heavy lifting while allowing one of the game's young stars to showcase his talents on the national stage.

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