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NBA All-Star Weekend is finally upon us, basketball fans. Things will kick off with the All-Star Celebrity Game, but the real gem tonight is the Rising Stars Game, which features the NBA’s best rookies and sophomores. Who has received the highest honor of being deemed a rising star? So glad you asked.
This year, the Rising Stars Game has been split into the USA roster (populated by American players, obviously) and the World roster. Check out who made the cut.
USA Roster
- Devin Booker (Sophomore, Phoenix Suns)
- Malcolm Brogdon (Rookie, Milwaukee Bucks)
- Marquese Chriss (Rookie, Phoenix Suns)
- Brandon Ingram (Sophomore, Los Angeles Lakers)
- Frank Kaminsky (Sophomore, Charlotte Hornets)
- Jahlil Okafor (Sophomore, Philadelphia 76ers)
- D’Angelo Russell (Sophomore, Los Angeles Lakers)
- Jonathan Simmons (Sophomore, San Antonio Spurs)
- Karl-Anthony Towns (Sophomore, Minnesota Timberwolves)
- Myles Turner (Sophomore, Indiana Pacers)
World Roster
- Joel Embiid (Rookie, Philadelphia 76ers)
- Dante Exum (Sophomore, Utah Jazz)
- Buddy Hield (Rookie, New Orleans Pelicans)
- Nikola Jokic (Sophomore, Denver Nuggets)
- Trey Lyles (Sophomore, Utah Jazz)
- Emmanuel Mudiay (Sophomore, Denver Nuggets)
- Jamal Murray (Rookie, Denver Nuggets)
- Kristaps Porzingis (Sophomore, New York Knicks)
- Dario Saric (Rookie, Philadelphia 76ers)
- Alex Abrines (Rookie, Oklahoma City Thunder)
- Willy Hernangomez (Rookie, New York Knicks)
You’ll notice that the 76ers, Nuggets, and Lakers all have multiple players who were named Rising Stars. This isn’t too surprising as all three teams are in the midst of a rebuild and stocking the cupboard with young talent they can develop. We’ll have to wait and see which team breaks through first to leverage that young talent into actual wins on the court. As of now, the Nuggets look to be in the best shape as they hold a narrow grasp on the last playoff seed in the West.
The Knicks also have two players in the game tonight, but no one quite knows what is going on in New York, so it’s hard to comfort them with positive takeaways.
The Rising Stars Game will begin at 9:00 P.M. EST.
Rising Stars Challenge Viewing Details
Date: Friday, February 17, 2017
Time: 9:00 P.M. EST
Location: Smoothie King Center, New Orleans, Louisiana
Broadcast: TNT