All-Star Weekend is finally here, and if you don’t count the celebrity game (for obvious reasons), the Rising Stars Challenge will truly kick off the weekend’s festivities. After having changed the format to Team USA versus Team World a few seasons ago, this year’s game will be no different. However, there has been one notable improvement: OG Anunoby’s presence on the Team World roster! That’s right, our very own tantalizing-prospect-turned-role-player has been selected to participate in tonight’s event, perhaps as retribution after being snubbed from the game last year. OG’s efficiency and consistency have both taken hits this season, but much of that is due to external factors beyond his control, including personal family matters and developing team chemistry. While OG’s minutes remain the same as last year, his role has morphed from starter to bench player due to major roster changes. But, that’s enough about OG for now. I write about the Raptors all the time, but it’s not every day I get to gush over Luka Doncic. By now, even casual fans know that Luka is a pastier, doughier version of LeBron James. The kid’s a basketball savant and will be one of the best players in the league for years to come. Recently, Luka mentioned that certain rules in the NBA make it easier to score than in Europe. Well, if it’s that easy for him to score in a normal game, it should be even easier tonight. After all, the event’s about having fun and showcasing the league’s newest talent, so I’m expecting some Doncic highlights: ridiculous step backs, lobs to Deandre Ayton (who’s quietly having a great year) and more. However, this isn’t the All-Star Game. These young guys have been known to actually play some defense from time to time (at least to start the game), and we’ve seen some seriously competitive games in the past. Remember how fun it was watching Tim Hardaway Jr. and Dion Waiters taunt each other while repeatedly banging threes in each other’s faces? How about when Kristaps Porzingis went off for 30 points in a close game and showed the world that he wasn’t afraid of the spotlight? Strangely enough, I usually prioritize watching the Rising Stars Challenge ahead of the All-Star Game. Call me crazy, but I get to witness seasoned All-Stars going off all season long — from Harden’s 30-game long streak of scoring 30+ points to Westbrook’s never ending triple-double festival. While the familiarity of the All-Star Game is nice, I relish the opportunity to get an extended look at our next generation of NBA superstars. Let’s make some predictions. I’d like to speak the following into existence: 1.) De’Aaron Fox will win the game’s MVP award and, once again, overshadow Lonzo Ball. Lonzo is injured and will not play, so this should be easy. If he were healthy, it’d still be easy. 2.) Trae Young will take many, many shots — likely 20+ of them — and will make very, very few. 3.) Cedi Osman is going to posterize somebody. I’m looking at you, Bagley. 4.) Josh Okogie will prompt at least one viewer to say “Hmm. Maybe I should watch more Timberwolves games?” Subsequently, this viewer will not watch any more Timberwolves games and will never think about Josh Okogie again. 5.) Jarrett Allen’s going to block an OG Anunoby dunk attempt. Sorry, I’m just going with the odds. ***** Rosters: Team USA – Jarrett Allen, Marvin Bagley III, Lonzo Ball, John Collins, De’Aaron Fox, Jaren Jackson Jr., Kevin Knox, Kyle Kuzma, Donovan Mitchell, Jayson Tatum, Trae Young Team World – OG Anunoby, Deandre Ayton, Bogdan Bogdanovic, Luka Doncic, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Rodions Kurucs, Lauri Markkanen, Josh Okogie, Cedi Osman, Ben Simmons Where to Watch: TSN, 9pm<doc-sep>When is the 2019 Rising Stars Game? The 2019 Mtn Dew Ice Rising Stars Game is set for Friday, Feb. 16. The game will start at 1pm AEDT at the Spectrum Center in Charlotte, NC. How can I watch it? It'll be televised on ESPN and League Pass. Who is playing? The two rosters are made up of 10 rookies and 10 second year players. It will be Team USA versus Team World with players divided up by Nationality, not experience in the league. (NBA Getty Images) https://images.daznservices.com/di/library/NBA_Global_CMS_image_storage/f4/60/tatum_4hiu8gvrtc7b1k38019h2q07o.jpg?t=460964656&w=500&quality=80 Team USA Jarrett Allen, centre, Brooklyn Nets Marvin Bagley III, forward, Sacramento Kings Lonzo Ball, guard, Los Angeles Lakers* John Collins, forward, Atlanta Hawks De'Aaron Fox, guard, Sacramento Kings Jaren Jackson Jr., forward, Memphis Grizzlies Kyle Kuzma, forward, Los Angeles Lakers Donovan Mitchell, guard, Utah Jazz Jayson Tatum, forward, Boston Celtics Trae Young, guard, Atlanta Hawks Kevin Knox, forward, New York Knicks* *Knox is filling in for injured Ball (NBA Getty Images) https://images.daznservices.com/di/library/NBA_Global_CMS_image_storage/dc/10/shai-gilgeous-alexander-clippers-122018-ftr-nba-getty_11uatkb22icw31o25kcnovk66m.jpg?t=-824198393&w=500&quality=80 Team World OG Anunoby, forward, Toronto Raptors Deandre Ayton, centre, Phoenix Suns Bogdan Bogdanovic, forward, Sacramento Kings Luka Doncic, forward, Dallas Mavericks Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, guard, LA Clippers Rodions Kurucs, forward, Brooklyn Nets Lauri Markkanen, forward, Chicago Bulls Josh Okogie, guard, Minnesota Timberwolves Cedi Osman, forward, Cleveland Cavaliers Ben Simmons, guard, Philadelphia 76ers<doc-sep>It's time for the NBA youngster to step onto to the court and put on a show and get the All-Star Weekend rolling. MORE: Simmons relishing All-Star experience Twenty of the biggest and best first and second year players will square off in the 2019 Rising Stars Game. Reigning rookie of the year Ben Simmons will lead Team World, while Donovan Mitchell and Jayson Tatum will headline Team USA. Team World have had the upper hand since the format changed holding a 3-1 advantage over the previous four encounters. The game is set to take place at Spectrum Center in Charlotte, NC with the tip off set for 1pm AEDT. Key Matchups Luka Doncic vs Trae Young You can't mention one without the other, these two will be connected throughout their careers after a draft day trade sent Luka to Dallas and Trae to Atlanta. Here they'll get a chance to square off for the third time in their young careers with each recording one win. Doncic is favoured to claim the MVP, but Trae will have a point to prove. Lauri Markkanen vs John Collins Since making his return for the Chicago Bulls, Markkanen has been playing lights out basketball and could be set to tear the Rising Stars Game apart. John Collins continues to get it done on both ends night in and night out for the Atlanta Hawks and will keep the young Bull well and truly on his toes. Ben Simmons vs Donovan Mitchell Although Simmons may not play a whole lot of minutes due to earning a spot in the All-Star Game on Monday, there's still intrigue surrounding his battle with Mitchell. Intertwined throughout their rookie seasons, the two went head to head for the silverware with Simmons emerging victorious. Mitchell could get one back over him by helping lead Team USA to glory. MVP Prediction Doncic is the easy choice here, an open game with plenty of room to show off his incredible flair and passing vision. But we can't split the point guard duo on Team USA. Trae Young and De'Aaron Fox will shine when the game gets underway and both could take over and dominant the game. Picking just one, based purely on how the game will unfold, we'll go with Trae Young to lift the MVP trophy.<doc-sep>1 Luka Doncic Dallas Mavericks SF 2018-19 stats: 20.7 points, 7.2 rebounds, 5.6 assists, 1.0 steals Doncic came into the NBA with the "best international prospect of all time" tag hanging over his head, and he's done absolutely nothing to dissuade that notion. Doncic has been transcendent as both a scorer and a playmaker, causing the Mavericks to get rid of second-year point guard Dennis Smith Jr. and trade for Kristaps Porzingis to form one of the best young duos in the league. Doncic is ahead of other NBA rookies given his overseas professional experience, and the 19-year-old is already the best player in a talent-laden Rising Stars game. It's scary to think how good he'll be in five years. 2 Ben Simmons Philadelphia 76ers PG 2018-19 stats: 16.8 points, 9.0 rebounds, 7.9 assists, 1.3 steals Man, this was a close one. Simmons made his first All-Star Game this season, but Doncic narrowly missed in a much more crowded Western Conference. Simmons is a force on both ends of the court and has a physicality that Doncic lacks, but ultimately it comes down to -- as it always does -- the fact that Simmons refuses to shoot. It provides a glaring weakness to his otherwise dominant game, which knocks him down a tenth of a peg below Doncic ... for now. 3 Jayson Tatum Boston Celtics SF 2018-19 stats: 16.5 points, 6.3 rebounds, 1.9 assists, 1.0 steals In a few years Tatum might be the best player out of everyone in this game, but as of now he's suffering the plight of most players on the deep Celtics roster -- having to rein back his individual ability for the greater good. If Tatum were in the situation of some of the other players on this list, given the keys to an offense, he'd have no trouble averaging 20-plus points per game. But as it stands right now, he's a superior role player for a potential NBA Finals team. Not bad at all. 4 Donovan Mitchell Utah Jazz SG 2018-19 stats: 22.4 points, 4.0 assists, 3.9 rebounds, 1.5 steals Mitchell didn't take the leap most expected to begin the season, but he's come on of late as the Jazz have begun to surge. Over his last 20 games, Mitchell has averaged 26.3 points, 5.0 assists and 4.5 rebounds while shooting 37 percent 3-pointers, and Utah has gone 14-6 over that span. His efficiency is still a bit lacking, but Mitchell has proven he can be the lead playmaker and scorer for a very good Jazz team. 5 De'Aaron Fox Sacramento Kings PG 2018-19 stats: 17.2 points, 7.2 assists, 3.7 rebounds, 1.7 steals The Kings are fun again, and Fox is one of the main reasons why. His improvement from his rookie season until now has been exponential, and he has Sacramento in position to get back to the postseason for the first time since 2006. Fox has nearly doubled his assist average from last year and is shooting 37 percent from the 3-point line, up from 31 as a rookie. Mostly, Fox puts pressure on opposing offenses and defenses with his tremendous speed, and he's the perfect leader for a young, talented Sacramento roster. 6 John Collins Atlanta Hawks PF 2018-19 stats: 19.4 points, 9.7 rebounds, 2.1 assists Collins has been incredible for the Hawks this season, averaging nearly 20 points and 10 rebounds in just 30 minutes per game. The 6-foot-10 Pogo stick has been a terror inside the paint, averaging an impressive 1.339 points per possession around the basket according to Synergy Sports Tech, and he's also expanded his range, shooting 37 percent on 2.5 3-point attempts per game after shooting less than one per game as a rookie. You'd still like to see Collins use his athleticism to block more shots and play better defense, but he's been a great transition finisher as a running mate to Trae Young for an exciting young Hawks squad. 7 Lauri Markkanen Chicago Bulls PF 2018-19 stats: 18.5 points, 8.8 rebounds, 1.3 assists, 0.7 blocks Markkanen missed time to begin the year, but he picked up right where he left off during his rookie season. The 7-footer is shooting 38 percent on 6.6 3-point attempts per game while rebounding at a high clip and using his length to bother shots on defense. He's also been solid finishing around the rim, providing an off-the-dribble threat when defenders close out on him at the 3-point line. The Bulls are dismal, but Markkanen is the real deal. 8 Deandre Ayton Phoenix Suns C 2018-19 stats: 16.5 points, 10.5 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 0.9 blocks A product of being on one of the worst teams in the NBA and being in the same rookie class as Doncic, Ayton hasn't gotten as much attention despite putting up a great year. No NBA rookie has EVER averaged more than 16 points and 10 rebounds while shooting higher than 58 percent from the field. Not Shaq, not Duncan, not Hakeem. That's not to say Ayton will ever be as good as those guys, but it is to say that the No. 1 overall pick is having a phenomenal rookie season. 2018-19 stats: 13.8 points, 4.7 rebounds, 1.4 blocks, 0.9 steals Another player who might end up being the best out of the bunch in 10 years, Jackson is way ahead of schedule as the second-youngest player in the NBA (he turned 19 in September). His offensive game is much more polished than it should be (50 percent from the field, 36 percent 3-pointers), and while his rebounding is a bit lacking and he's prone to foul trouble, Jackson's defensive impact has been remarkable, particularly when it comes to shot-blocking and pick-and-roll defense. Trading Marc Gasol was a sign that Memphis is ready to build around Jackson, and it's easy to see why. 10 Trae Young Atlanta Hawks PG 2018-19 stats: 16.9 points, 7.6 assists, 3.3 rebounds, 0.9 steals If this list were based on entertainment value, Young would be right up there at the top.<doc-sep>
The top NBA talents of tomorrow will descend upon the Spectrum Center in Charlotte, North Carolina on Friday for the 2019 NBA Rising Stars Challenge, a must-watch segment of this year’s All-Star Weekend. In preparation for Saturday’s All-Star game, the best first and second-year stars of the basketball elite will face off in a clash between the United States and the rest of the world. How to Watch NBA Rising Stars Game Live Stream: fuboTV ( watch for free – no contracts required) When: Friday, February 15 Time: 9 p.m. ET TV: TNT Where: Spectrum Center, Charlotte, North Carolina The Rising Stars Challenge has made a significant change in its format this year as two incumbent NBA superstars will coach each team: Boston Celtics point guard Kyrie Irving will lead the U.S., while German Dallas Mavericks forward Dirk Nowitzki will take control of Team World. The NBA’s assistant coaches may be the ones responsible for assembling the two squads, but it’s Irving and Nowitzki who will have to make the most of the players afforded to them. Team World has won the Rising Stars Challenge in the past two years and were particularly confident victors in 2018 when they triumphed 155-124. That was the second-biggest margin by which this fixture—formerly named the Rookie Challenge—has ever been won. Only three players from that winning team have been retained this year: Bogdan Bogdanovic of the Sacramento Kings (Serbia), Ben Simmons of the Philadelphia 76ers (Australia) and Chicago Bulls forward Lauri Markannen (Finland). Nowitzki will be particularly pleased to see Bogdanovic return after he was named MVP in this fixture last year. The U.S. team have lost Los Angeles Lakers sophomore Lonzo Ball to an ankle injury, with New York Knicks rookie Kevin Knox stepping in as his replacement. This is the second year running in which Ball, 21, has suffered an injury in the build-up, meaning he’ll never play in the Rising Stars Challenge. Other American names sure to shine come Friday are sophomores Jayson Tatum and Kyle Kuzma, of the Celtics and Lakers, respectively. Those are two of the names kept on Team U.S. for their sophomore season—Donovan Mitchell (Utah Jazz) and De’Aaron Fox (Kings) have also been retained for this game. Rookies Marvin Bagley III (Kings), Jaren Jackson Jr. (Memphis Grizzlies) and Trae Young (Atlanta Hawks) were all selected in the top five of the 2018 NBA Draft and will each carry great expectations for Team USA. Rosters Team World: OG Anunoby (Toronto Raptors), Deandre Ayton (Phoenix Suns), Bogdan Bogdanovic (Sacramento Kings), Luka Doncic (Dallas Mavericks), Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (Los Angeles Clippers), Rodions Kurucs (Brooklyn Nets), Lauri Markkanen (Chicago Bulls), Josh Okogie (Minnesota Timberwolves), Cedi Osman (Cleveland Cavaliers), Ben Simmons (Philadelphia 76ers) Team USA: Jarrett Allen (Brooklyn Nets), Marvin Bagley III (Sacramento Kings), John Collins (Atlanta Hawks), De’Aaron Fox (Sacramento Kings), Jaren Jackson Jr. (Memphis Grizzlies), Kevin Knox (New York Knicks), Kyle Kuzma (Los Angeles Lakers), Donovan Mitchell (Utah Jazz), Jayson Tatum (Boston Celtics), Trae Young (Atlanta Hawks) We recommend interesting sports viewing and streaming opportunities. If you sign up to a service by clicking one of the links, we may earn a referral fee.