The Rising Stars Challenge kicks off the All-Star weekend festivities that Friday night, and features a mix of the game’s top rookies and sophomores competing in the exhibition.
Teams used to be separated by seniority, which often times meant a blowout victory for the second-year players. But the league has since created a draft of all available players, in hopes of making it a more competitive contest.
Anthony Davis and Damian Lillard went one-two this year, and the rest of the teams (drafted by TNT analysts Grant Hill and Chris Webber) shook out as follows:
TEAM HILL
Giannis Antetokounmpo Milwaukee
Pero Antic Atlanta
Harrison Barnes Golden State
Bradley Beal Washington
Andre Drummond Detroit
Terrence Jones Houston
Damian Lillard Portland
Jonas Valanciunas Toronto
Dion Waiters Cleveland
TEAM WEBBER
Steven Adams Oklahoma City
Trey Burke Utah
Michael Carter-Williams Philadelphia
Anthony Davis New Orleans
Tim Hardaway, Jr. New York
Victor Oladipo Orlando
Kelly Olynyk Boston
Mason Plumlee Brooklyn
Jared Sullinger Boston
The starters will be determined by fan voting, and the head coaches are the lead assistant coaches from the 2014 NBA All-Star Game coaching staffs. The Indiana Pacers Nate McMillan will lead TEAM HILL and the Oklahoma City Thunder’s Rex Kalamian will man the sidelines for TEAM WEBBER.
Here’s a look back at the 2013 game, which featured a 40-point performance from Kenneth Faried that earned him MVP honors.
