Jeremy Lin, Norris Cole Added To Rising Stars Challenge

You'll never believe this, but Jeremy Lin will, in fact, be a part of the NBA All-Star Weekend festivities.

Acting as commissioner for the BBVA Rising Stars Challenge on Thursday evening, Kenny Smith made a late addition to the game, including Norris Cole of the Miami Heat in the rookie pool. The addition meant a second-year player needed to be thrown into the mix, and surprisingly enough, Smith knew just the player!

Lin, the New York Knicks' breakout star point guard, will play in the Rising Stars Challenge, an altered version of the Rookie-Sophomore Game. This year, instead of the first-year players facing the second-year stars, Charles Barkley and Shaquille O'Neal were made general managers and are currently picking teams live on NBATV.

And of course, Lin came off the board fast. After Blake Griffin and Kyrie Irving were picked first and second, respectively, Lin was taken as the third pick. The Linsanity continues, and will be invading All-Star Weekend.