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There will be a little extra Jazz in New Orleans this all-star weekend.
Utah's Gordon Hayward was named a Western Conference all-star Thursday, marking the first selection of his NBA career and the first for any Jazzman since Deron Williams in 2011.
"My teammates, our coaching and support staff helped put me in this position," Hayward, who declined to be interviewed prior to tipoff Thursday, said in a statement. "We still have work to do but I'm excited about the direction we're headed. I look forward to representing Utah in New Orleans."
Hayward, at least publicly, has demurred when asked about his all-star aspirations. Privately, however, his coach said had made becoming an all-star a goal.
"I'm thrilled for him," Jazz coach Quin Snyder said. "… I think everybody's really, really happy for him that he's recognized in that capacity. It's a great thing for him."
Hayward joined Oklahoma City's Russell Westbrook, Golden State's Klay Thompson and Draymond Green, Sacramento's DeMarcus Cousins, Los Angeles' DeAndre Jordan and Memphis' Marc Gasol in being named reserves Thursday.
A notable absence from that list: Jazz center Rudy Gobert.
Gobert awoke from his pregame nap before the 5 p.m. announcement and turned on his TV hoping to hear his name called among the reserves.
"I thought I had a chance, but I wasn't counting on it," Gobert said.
Gobert is averaging 12.8 points, 12.6 rebounds and 2.5 blocks per game while anchoring one of the league's most formidable defenses. That, however, apparently wasn't enough for the NBA's coaches, whose votes decide the All-Star reserves.
Snyder on Thursday morning said making his own selection was a difficult process.
"It would have been difficult if there were 20 spots," he said, later adding that he did not consider Gobert's omission a snub.
"I'm disappointed for Rudy but not entirely. Rudy doesn't and shouldn't need that affirmation," the coach said. "… Rudy's done some terrific things for our team. He's so important to what we're doing. That doesn't change if he's a quote-unquote all-star or not. He's an All-Star for us."
The NBA All-Star game is scheduled for Feb. 19. Hayward will be joined in New Orleans for the weekend's festivities by teammates Dante Exum and Trey Lyles, both of whom were selected to the league's Rising Stars game for the top rookie and sophomore players.
Lyles said his interactions with Hayward during offseason workouts in Salt Lake City hinted at an All-Star season.
"When I would come back, I would always see him in the gym working out and working hard," the 20-year-old forward said. "It's definitely something that he had in his mind that he was going to achieve."
Hayward has done that, posting career-highs in points and rebounds, putting the Jazz in position to fight for home court in a playoff series come April in the process.
"It's awesome. Obviously he thoroughly deserves it," Jazz forward Joe Ingles said. "We think Rudy could have been in there too. But with Gordon, everyone has seen his progress form a skinny little, whatever, 80-pounder when he got drafted to improve each year."
Twitter: @aaronfalk —
All-Star game rosters
Feb. 19 at Smoothie King Center
New Orleans
EASTERN CONFERENCE
Starters
LeBron James, Cleveland; Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee; Jimmy Butler, Chicago; Kyrie Irving, Cleveland; DeMar DeRozan, Toronto.
Reserves
Paul George, Indiana; Kevin Love, Cleveland; Kyle Lowry, Toronto; Paul Millsap, Atlanta; Isaiah Thomas, Boston; Kemba Walker, Charlotte; John Wall, Washington.
WESTERN CONFERENCE
Starters
Kevin Durant, Golden States; Kawhi Leonard, San Antonio; Anthony Davis, New Orleans
Stephen Curry, Golden State; James Harden, Houston.
Reserves
DeMarcus Cousins, Sacramento; Marc Gasol, Memphis; Draymond Green, Golden State; Gordon Hayward, Utah; DeAndre Jordan, L.A. Clippers; Klay Thompson, Golden State; Russell Westbrook; Oklahoma City.
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All-Time Jazz All-Stars
Gordon Hayward becomes the 12th Jazz player to ever be selected for an All-Star game. The others:
Carlos Boozer (2007-08)
Adrian Dantley (1980-82, '84-86)
Mark Eaton (1989)
Rickey Green (1984)
Andrei Kirilenko (2004)
Karl Malone (1988-98, 2000-02)
Pete Maravich (1977-79)
Mehmet Okur (2007)
Len "Truck" Robinson (1978)
John Stockton (1989-97, 2000)
Deron Williams (2010-11)