With NBA All-Star weekend here, fans are anxiously gearing up for an action-packed weekend. Ahead of three stacked days of entertainment, let's break down all the information you need for Friday's Jordan Rising Stars Challenge.
The 2023 Jordan Rising Stars Challenge will tip off at 9 p.m. EST on TNT, with the "Inside the NBA" crew set to handle coverage. In addition, the festivities will stream on NBA League Pass for those in need of a stream.
This year, the format for the Rising Stars Challenge will see four NBA veterans coach their own handpicked teams in a tournament to determine the winner. The two winners from the first games will match up to play a championship game.
The four teams will be coached by Joakim Noah, Deron Williams and Pau Gasol with Jason Terry coaching the NBA G League Rising Stars team.
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The rosters for the competition are as follows:
Team Pau
- Paolo Banchero (Magic)
- Benedict Mathurin (Pacers)
- Jaden Ivey (Pistons)
- Scottie Barnes (Raptors)
- Jose Alvarado (Pelicans)
- Keegan Murray (Kings)
- Andrew Nembhard (Pacers)
Team Deron
- Franz Wagner (Magic)
- Jalen Green (Rockets) ^^
- Alperen Sengun (Rockets)
- Trey Murphy III (Pelicans)
- AJ Griffin (Hawks)
- Bones Hyland (Nuggets)
- Walker Kessler (Jazz)
- Ayo Dosunmu (Bulls) **
- –^^ = injured will not play
- ** = Ayo Dosunmu will replace the injured Jalen Green
Team Joakim
- Evan Mobley (Cavaliers)
- Josh Giddey (Thunder)
- Jalen Williams (Thunder)
- Jeremy Sochan (Spurs)
- Quentin Grimes (Knicks)
- Jabari Smith Jr. (Rockets)
- Jalen Duren (Pistons) ^^
- Tari Eason (Rockets) **
- –^^ = injured will not play
- ** = Tari Eason will replace the injured Jalen Duren
Team Jason
- Sidy Cissoko, G League Ignite
- Scoot Henderson, G League Ignite
- Mojave King, G League Ignite
- Kenneth Lofton Jr., Memphis Hustle
- Mac McClung, Delaware Blue Coats
- Leonard Miller, G League Ignite
- Scotty Pippen Jr., South Bay Lakers
Rising Stars speak on the opportunity given
With the rising stars challenge, we will have plenty of opportunities to see the best and brightest young talent in the NBA compete against each other. With rookies and sophomores set to compete, and the G League Ignite’s best young prospects, the future of the sport will be on full display!
With some incredibly noteworthy coaches on hand for the evening as well, the tournament will surely bring plenty of competition. Going into the evening’s festivities in Utah, Jazz big man Walker Kessler spoke about how much the opportunity means to him. Given the fact that he was traded twice before ever playing an NBA game, the chance to put on a show for the Utah fans means a lot to him.
He spoke to KSL Sports about the Rising Stars Challenge, saying: “I’ve been on three teams already. It’s been unbelievable. I’m so thankful to the staff here, my teammates, the state, and the city. I wouldn’t be able to do anything without them. I’m just continuing to focus on trying to win and doing what I do.”
When Kessler, Franz Wagner, Bones Hyland and the rest of Team Deron compete tonight, how do you see them fairing? Drop your predictions in the comments section below!