NBA ALL-STAR RISING STARS

February 18, 2022

Josh Giddey

Team Worthy

Press Conference

Team Isiah 50, Team Worthy 49

Q. How fun was that experience for you?

JOSH GIDDEY: Very fun. Obviously, as I said, I've dreamt of being here all my life. Watched so many of these All-Star Weekends growing up. So to be on the floor playing in the Rising Stars game with the other best rookies and sophomores, I couldn't ask for much more.

Q. Along those lines, a few years ago you didn't know if you were going to keep playing basketball, and now you're on basketball's biggest stage basically. Has that kind of sunk in for you yet?

JOSH GIDDEY: It has. That decision was obviously tough at the time. Looking back, I don't regret it at all. I'm really happy with where I'm at now, and to be here at All-Star Weekend playing. Four months ago I never in my wildest dreams ever thought I would be here. So I'm kind of just happy to be here.

Q. What were you thinking to yourself while you were on stage and they were calling your name and all of that? Just the pomp and circumstance of it all.

JOSH GIDDEY: It's exciting. As I said, I've watched so many of these, and the other guys being walked out on stage, being presented and called out. For it to be my turn and being on that stage, you know, it's really special. Hopefully this is the first of many more All-Star appearances.

Q. What was it like getting to know some of your teammates a little bit and just some of your peers around the league a little bit?

JOSH GIDDEY: It's great. We had a great group of guys. I loved our team. I haven't had too much to do with many of them because I didn't know any of them, being from Australia. So getting to meet them, talk with them, learn their games, a lot of fun. Great bunch of guys.

Q. Seems like you were able to make a pretty good connection with a couple of them. Had some fun assists.

JOSH GIDDEY: Jalen Green is an athlete, so I can throw the ball anywhere near the rim, and he will go get it. We have some good chemistry on the floor. Pick and rolls. We're obviously a small team, so a lot of run and gun, but, yeah, we had some good chemistry out there.

Q. The last thing I wanted to ask you is you are one of the youngest in the league, but you had a legendary coach, James Worthy. What was that like just being face to face with somebody who is just such a legend of the league?

JOSH GIDDEY: Worthy is a legend. It's hard to put into words when you see these guys in real life. You hear so many stories and how good they are, and then you meet them, and it's a whole other level. To be around, as I said, James Worthy, and everyone else in the building, Shaq is here and all the All-Stars are here. To be in the presence of all these guys, it's a really special atmosphere to be in.