Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Karl-Anthony Towns, both Kentucky basketball alumni, have been named starters for the upcoming 2025 NBA All-Star Game, as confirmed on TNT Thursday night. This recognition comes from a combined vote from fans, players, and media, honoring their exceptional performance during the first half of the 2024-25 NBA season.
Scheduled for February 16 at the Chase Center, home of the Golden State Warriors, this year’s All-Star event introduces a new format featuring a mini tournament with four teams competing in three games.
Gilgeous-Alexander, a guard for the Oklahoma City Thunder, is making his third All-Star appearance and earning his second consecutive starting spot. He currently leads the NBA with an impressive average of 32.0 points per game, alongside 6.1 assists and 5.4 rebounds. Not only is he a scoring leader, but he is also making his mark defensively with 2.1 steals per game, ranking second in the league. His stellar performance has significantly contributed to the Thunder’s outstanding 36-7 record, the best in the Western Conference. His success earned him the title of Western Conference Player of the Month for both November and December.
During his time at the University of Kentucky in the 2017-18 season, Gilgeous-Alexander averaged 14.4 points and 5.1 assists, earning the title of MVP in the Southeastern Conference Tournament and securing an All-SEC selection.
On the other hand, Towns is having a remarkable first season with the New York Knicks, averaging a career-high 25.1 points and 13.9 rebounds per game, along with 3.5 assists. His field-goal percentage of 54.5% and 3-point shooting rate of 43.3% are also career bests. This marks Towns’ fifth All-Star selection and his first as a starter. He received the Eastern Conference Player of the Month honor in December for his standout performance.
Towns, part of Kentucky’s historic 2014-15 team, was recognized as SEC Freshman of the Year while averaging 13.9 points and 6.7 rebounds per game.
With the starters confirmed, anticipation builds for the announcement of the reserve selections on January 30. Last season, a record seven Kentucky alumni were named All-Stars, showcasing the deep talent pool from the program.
In summary, the achievements of Gilgeous-Alexander and Towns not only highlight their individual skills and contributions to their respective teams, but they also reflect the continuing strength of Kentucky’s basketball program in producing top-tier NBA talent. Fans can look forward to more exciting updates as the All-Star Game approaches.