The NBA All-Star Weekend has continually evolved to attract NBA enthusiasts worldwide. Among many events of the All-Star weekend, the NBA All-Star Rising Stars Challenge stands out as an exciting showcase of emerging young talent, providing fans a glimpse into the future of the league.
Established in 1994 as the Rookie Challenge, the event underwent several name changes before becoming the Rising Stars Challenge in 2012. Previously, there were “Rookies vs Sophomore” games played in this event, and later from 2015 to 2021, “Team World vs. Team USA” games were played. Since 2022, it has adopted a four-team tournament style, injecting a new level of competitiveness into the Rising Stars Challenge.
The Rising Stars Challenge is usually a prime-time event on Friday night during the "NBA All-Star Weekend" and features the league's most promising rookies and sophomores. This exhibition game allows these rising stars to showcase their skills and potential on a grand stage. The format has evolved over the years, but its essence remains the same – a thrilling display of athleticism, young talent, and future stardom.
Over the years, the Rising Stars Challenge has become a fan favorite as it offers a glimpse into the future of the NBA. As young talents showcase their skills, fans eagerly anticipate the development of these rising stars into the NBA's next superstars. The event continues to be a vital part of the NBA All-Star Weekend, captivating audiences with its entertaining format.
2024 NBA Rising Stars Challenge Schedule
The 2024 NBA Rising Stars Challenge took place at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on Friday, February 16.
2024 NBA Rising Stars Challenge Coaches
2024 NBA Rising Stars Challenge Rosters
The 2024 Panini Rising Stars Player Pool featured a strong lineup with a mix of 11 promising rookies, 10 talented sophomores, and 7 standout players from the G League. This diverse pool of 28 players played in a competition involving four teams.
NBA's selected coaches — Pau Gasol, Tamika Catchings, and Jalen Rose, drafted their team in a draft process. Detlef Schrempf did not participate in draft as he was selected as the coach for "G-League" team.
During the Rising Stars draft that was held live on NBA App, Pau Gasol selected Victor Wembanyama as the top pick for his "Team Pau", followed by Tamika selecting "2022 Rookie of the Year" Paolo Banchero as the second overall pick"Team Tamika," for her "Team Tamika". Then decided to select OKC Thunder's young star Chet Holmgren for his "Team Jalen". This is how the first round of the draft came to an end, and each round was carried out in a fun segment.
Here are the teams that Pau Gasol, Tamika Catchings and Jalen Rose drafted:
Note*: San Antonio Spurs forward Jeremy Sochan will replace injured Portland Trail Blazers guard Shaedon Sharpe on "Team Jalen".
2024 NBA Rising Stars Challenge Format
The Rising Stars Challenge was held in a competition of three games. All three games in the mini-tournament had a Final Target Score, meaning each game would conclude with a made basket or free throw rather than running out of time.
The two semifinal matches, Game 1 and Game 2 were played until a Final Target Score of 40 was reached.
The championship game, featuring the winners of the semifinals, was played until a Final Target Score of 25 was achieved to determine the tournament champion.
2024 Panini Rising Stars Challenge Results
Led by promising rookies and future stars of the NBA such as Victor Wembanyama, Brandon Miller, Jaime Jaquez Jr, and Brandin Podziemski, Team Pau came up short as the underdog squad of Team Detlef displayed incredible skill and determination on the court, showcasing their ability to compete at the highest level. Their triumph over Team Pau highlights the talent and resilience that exists in the NBA G-League. Many players including Alondes Williams, Mac McClung, and Oscar Tshiebwe are earning well-deserved recognition and admiration from basketball enthusiasts worldwide.
FAQ's
The Rising Stars player pool consists of 11 NBA rookies, 10 second-year NBA players, and 7 NBA G League players.
All three games in Panini Rising Stars will be played to a Final Target Score, with the semifinal games reaching a Final Target Score of 40, and the championship game concluding at a Final Target Score of 25.
Team Pau Gasol emerged victorious, with their player Jose Alvarado earning the coveted MVP title.
The teams are chosen by NBA assistant coaches based on the players' performance and potential, with participants divided into Team USA and Team World.
To be eligible, players must be NBA rookies, second-year players, or NBA G League players, selected based on their promising talent and early contributions to their teams.