CLEVELAND — Evan Mobley brought his first trophy to Cleveland.
The rookie’s excellent shooting led a team with Cavaliers teammates Darius Garland and Jarrett Allen to a win in the Skills Challenge in front of their home fans Saturday night. Mobley sealed the victory by hitting a half-court shot on his first try in the final round.
A team made up of rookies Josh Giddey, Cade Cunningham and Scottie Barnes finished second.
In the shooting phase of the competition, which also tests players’ passing and dribbling skills, Mobley made his first five shots including a 37-footer that helped the Cavs team score enough points to advance.
“I was just going out there and having fun,” said Mobley, who played well Friday night in helping his team win the Rising Stars Game. “Almost all of them went in, it was all good.”
Garland, who will play with Allen in Sunday’s All-Star Game, put on his own shooting display throughout the competition. He made a clutch 3-pointer to win a tiebreaker over the brothers team of Giannis, Thanasis and Alex Antetokounmpo to reach the championship round.
But he was more impressed with his rookie teammate’s performance.
“He’s a unicorn; 7-footer who is 20 years old that can do everything,” Garland said. “I’m glad to play with him and have him on my team.”
Said Allen: “He’s one of a kind. Defense, offense and now half court.”