Spurs' Jeremy Sochan to Replace Blazers' Shaedon Sharpe in 2024 NBA Rising Stars Game

An injury to Portland Trail Blazers guard Shaedon Sharpe has opened the door for Jeremy Sochan of the San Antonio Spurs to play in the 2024 NBA Rising Stars Game as part of All-Star Weekend.

The NBA announced on Tuesday that Sochan will replace Sharpe on Jalen Rose's team.

Sharpe hasn't appeared in a game since Jan. 11 due to a lower abdominal strain. The Blazers announced on Tuesday his symptoms started worsening as he was ramping up his basketball activities and would undergo surgery for a core muscle injury.

The surgery is tentatively scheduled for later this week. A timetable for Sharpe's return to play will be determined after the procedure is completed.

The NBA announced the pool of players for the Rising Stars Game on Jan. 30. Sharpe was among the sophomores included, along with fellow second-year guards Jaden Ivey, Dyson Daniels and Bennedict Mathurin.

Honorary coaches Pau Gasol, Tamika Catchings and Jalen Rose drafted their teams on Tuesday. Sharpe was selected in the fourth round by Rose.

Sochan becomes the second Spurs player in the game. Victor Wembanyama was part of the original roster and was the No. 1 overall pick in the draft for Gasol's team.

The No. 9 overall pick in the 2022 NBA draft, Sochan is having a solid season for the Spurs. He is averaging 11.4 points on 43.9 percent shooting, 6.2 rebounds and 3.7 assists per game in 51 appearances.

The Rising Stars consists of four teams playing in a mini-tournament. The fourth team consists of G League players and is coached by Detlef Schrempf.

There will be two semifinal games, with the winners squaring off to determine the Rising Stars champion. Each game is played to a target score.

The games will be played on Feb. 16 at 9 p.m. ET at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.