Former UNC standout Wayne Ellington–now a member of the Miami Heat–was selected Thursday to participate in the NBA Three-Point Shootout during All-Star weekend.

The same sharp-shooting prowess Ellington brought to the Tar Heels during their 2009 national championship run has helped the Miami Heat surprisingly rise to fourth place in the Eastern Conference standings.

Miami currently has a 27-20 record, and Ellington ranks fourth in the entire NBA with 140 made three-pointers–helping him average a career-high 11.2 points per game.

Other players who have confirmed entry into the contest include: Klay Thompson (Golden State Warriors), Devin Booker (Phoenix Suns), Bradley Beal (Washington Wizards) and Eric Gordon (Houston Rockets).

It is Thompson’s fourth straight appearance in the contest, but Gordon is the defending champion.

For Ellington, it will be his three-point shootout debut. No Carolina player has ever won the contest.

The event is set to take place at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on Saturday, Feb. 17.

 

 

 

Photo via Jasen Vinlove (USA Today Sports)

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