The NBA Rising Stars Challenge will have a new format in Cleveland for the 2022 All-Star Weekend, but who will be playing in the games?
Now that we’re just over two weeks away from the festivities in Cleveland for NBA All-Star Weekend. We’ve already had the contestants for Slam Dunk Contest but now we’re getting a look at the revamped Rising Stars Challenge.
For those unaware, fans in Cleveland and at home won’t be seeing the traditional rookies vs. sophomores or even the U.S. vs. international matchups that we’ve grown accustomed to. Yes, we’ll still have the best of the first- and second-year players in the mix, but there will be some new wrinkles.
But who will be playing in this game? We have some clarity on that with an announcment made this week.
NBA Rising Stars Challenge rosters for 2021-22
Here’s a breakdown, as reported by The Athletic’s Shams Charania, of the 12 rookies, 12 sophomores and four G League Ignite players.
Rookies
Scottie Barnes, Toronto Raptors
Cade Cunningham, Detroit Pistons
Ayo Dosunmu, Chicago Bulls
Chris Duarte, Indiana Pacers
Josh Giddey, Oklahoma City Thunder
Jalen Green, Houston Rockets
Herbert Jones, New Orleans Pelicans
Davion Mitchell, Sacramento Kings
Evan Mobley, Cleveland Cavaliers
Alperen Sengun, Houston Rockets
Jalen Suggs, Orlando Magic
Franz Wagner, Orlando Magic
Sophomores
Precious Achiuwa, Toronto Raptors
Cole Anthony, Orlando Magic
LaMelo Ball, Charlotte Hornets
Desmond Bane, Memphis Grizzlies
Saddiq Bey, Detroit Pistons
Anthony Edwards, Minnesota Timberwolves
Tyrese Haliburton, Sacramento Kings
Tyrese Maxey, Philadelphia 76ers
Jaden McDaniels, Minnesota Timberwolves
Isaac Okoro, Cleveland Cavaliers
Isaiah Stewart, Detroit Pistons
Jae’Sean Tate, Houston Rockets
G League Ignite
MarJon Beauchamp
Dyson Daniels
Jaden Hardy
Scoot Henderson
With the likes of Ball, Edwards, Maxey (who has been balling out lately), Cunningham, Mobley, Green and many more, this is a ton of talent on the floor and should make for an impressive set of rosters.
But how is this all going to work with a new format? We’ve got you covered there.
NBA Rising Stars Challenge format for 2021-22
The 28 players in the pool will be put into a draft pool where four NBA 75th Anniversary Team members — Rick Barry, Gary Payton, Isiah Thomas and James Worthy — will draft over seven rounds (six for the rookies and sophomores before the seventh round used for the G League Ignite quartet).
Those teams will then play a first round game that is a race to 50 points. The winners of those two games will then play in a race to 25 points, another homage to the 75th anniversary of the league.
This new format could add a ton of excitement to the mix and fans should be excited for what the Rising Stars Challenge will offer in Cleveland this year and will take place on Friday, Feb. 18 at 9 p.m. ET and airs on TNT.