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Trey Lyles is one of basketball's rising stars.

So says the NBA, which has picked the Utah Jazz forward to play in a showcase of the league's top young talents.

But as the intriguing 6-foot-10 power forward watches some of his peers from last year's draft lottery thriving in their sophomore seasons, Lyles knows he likely will have to wait a while before he gets a chance to shine in Utah.

"Not trying to throw shots or anything, but a lot of those other [young stars] aren't on playoff-contending teams," Lyles said. "I'm on a playoff-contending team that has a deep roster, so my minutes are going to fluctuate. I have to understand that as a player and continue to work."

Lyles will be part of the upcoming All-Star weekend festivities in New Orleans as one of the 20 players selected to participate in the NBA's showcase of its top first- and second-year players.

During the Rising Stars Challenge, Lyles will get a chance to play with and against a couple of his old college teammates from Kentucky, Karl-Anthony Towns and Devin Booker, both of whom are excelling in their second seasons. Towns averages a double-double while playing 36 minutes a night for the Minnesota Timberwolves. Booker is a 20-point scorer while playing 35 minutes a game for the Phoenix Suns.

They both are stars in the making, both on lottery-bound teams.

Lyles, meanwhile, is putting up 7.6 points and 3.8 boards in his 18 minutes per game. It remains to be seen what the 20-year-old's ceiling might be, but the Jazz want to be patient with the young forward—and they want the young forward to be patient, too.

"A lot of second-year players that are good players are in situations that are less competitive internally," Jazz coach Quin Snyder said.

With Lyles and his teammate Dante Exum, another member of the Rising Stars roster, the pressures and opportunities are different.

"It's definitely been tough," Exum said, "sometimes not knowing how many minutes you'll get."

Exum was given a longer leash out of necessity as he took over the Jazz's starting point guard duties two seasons ago. Lyles experienced that freedom in stretches last season, showing off flashes of his versatile game when injuries forced Snyder to rely heavily on his rookie big man.

"Trey got to play in an environment where there was more room for error, and now he's in an environment where it's harder," Snyder said. "There are less shots. … He's more challenged to do certain things."

But while Lyles fights for playing time with Jazz forwards Derrick Favors, Joe Johnson and Boris Diaw, the Jazz have been pleased with the youngster's progress.

"I think he's doing well," Snyder said. "The biggest thing that we get excited about is his playmaking ability. The fact that he can shoot makes people guard him and then he's able to make plays. As he progresses and matures, the game's just going to continue to slow down for him."

Twitter: @aaronfalk —

Boston Celtics at Utah Jazz

P At Vivint Smart Home Arena

Tipoff • 8 p.m. Saturday

TV • ROOT

Radio • 1280 AM, 97.5 FM

About the Celtics • Beat the Jazz 115-104 in Boston on Jan. 2. … All-Star point guard Isaiah Thomas is averaging 29.9 points and 6.3 assists per game. … Rank seventh in offensive efficiency at 109.3 points per 100 possessions.

About the Jazz • Gordon Hayward set a season high with 36 points in Utah's loss to the Mavericks. … Rudy Gobert joined the 500 blocked shots club Thursday and sits in ninth place all-time in franchise history. … Shooting guard Rodney Hood has missed four straight games with a sprained LCL and bone bruise in his right knee.