INDIANAPOLIS — Nets rookie MarShon Brooks is one of 19 players who will compete with Knicks sophomore Jeremy Lin in the Rising Stars Challenge at All-Star Weekend.
Brooks, drafted by Charles Barkley last night, will oppose Lin.
But given the nature of the game, Brooks who was chosen No. 10 by Barkley in the draft with Shaquille O’Neal, might be a terrific choice.
“In an exhibition game which this is, a high-scoring game, if you want a guy who can get 40 in this game, take MarShon,” coach Avery Johnson said.
Brooks, who scored 14 points in the Nets’ 93-88 loss to the Pacers on Thursday night in his fourth game back from a broken pinky toe, learned of his selection from friends who texted him. But the event is not in the forefront of his mind.
“I’m excited about it. I’m more concerned with Chicago right now,” said Brooks, referring to the Nets opponent Saturday. “We’ve got to get a win, so my focus is on Chicago. All-Star weekend is fun and games but this is my job,”
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Jordan Farmar was a game-time decision, and he did return from a one-game absence because of a strained groin. He played just 2:23 in the first half but said he felt great.
But with Farmar back, the Nets announced Shawne Williams would be out indefinitely as their injury situation continues in the arena of the absurd. Only Shelden Williams (eight points, nine rebounds) has played every game. the Nets have produced 15 different starting lineups in 31 games, and building chemistry has been tough.
“It’s very hard to get because as soon as we play well, win a couple of games, someone goes down and it changes the whole nature of the lineup,” Farmar said. “We’ve had a lot of adversity, a lot of injures, and it’s been a tough, tough season. We’re trying to do the best we can. The coaching staff is trying to do the best they can with what they’ve been given. We’re trying to stay positive for when we do have a healthy team.”
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One sports book has installed Anthony Morrow as the 5-to-2 favorite to win the 3-point shootout.
“That’s awesome,” Morrow said.
Who would he rate as the favorite?
“You are saying other than me, right?” Morrow said. “In that case, [Magic’s) Ryan Anderson.”
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In the What Might Have Been Dept: When Johnson spoke about the need for a three who is long and can score, he obviously pointed to the Pacers Danny Granger. That’s the same Danny Granger the Nets left on the board when they took Antoine Wright in 2005 at No. 15. Granger went to the Pacers two picks later.
The Nets began the year with Damion James as their starting three, lost him and now are plugging in with whoever is healthy. Stevenson, coming back from sore knees, is the latest of five small forwards.
“He’s not back yet,” Johnson said. “He’s not right. He’s not in great game shape. He’s not in great physical shape. His threes will come. As you’ve seen, early in the season, there’s times when he can make some threes, but right now, he’s not moving at 100 percent. It’s going to take some time. He had a pretty severe, in-depth procedure on his knee, and it’s going to take him a little while.”
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Kris Humphries made a sensational block on Dahntay Jones near the end of the third quarter. The block was clean, but when the two tumbled to the ground, Humphries landed on top of Jones. The fans screamed for a foul.
“Sundiata [Gaines] cut him off to keep him from dunking, and he had to slow down to lay it up, so I was able to get in the play,” Humphries said. “It was me and him on that play. It’s just what I do, try to do little things.”
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The Pacers have beaten the Nets 10 straight times, three times this season.
fred.kerber@nypost.com