2022 All-Star weekend is shaping up to be an amazing experience for fans. With the main game and the official dunk contest participants released, we already have a pretty good idea of what to expect in a few weeks.
A few hours ago, the 2022 Rising Stars roster was also revealed, which only added to the hype. Here are the names, per NBA.com:
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
The league also announced a new format for the classic showdown, adding a spin that could spice things up for a lot of long-time viewers.
In a new format, 28 players — comprising 12 rookies, 12 sophomores and four members of the NBA G League Ignite developmental squad — will be drafted onto four teams coached by 75th Anniversary Team members Rick Barry, Gary Payton, Isiah Thomas and James Worthy to compete in three games on Friday, Feb. 18 (9 p.m. ET, TNT).
The Rising Stars Draft will consist of seven rounds, with the 24 NBA players selected in the first six rounds and the NBA G League Ignite players going in the seventh. The order of selection in the first round will be determined by random drawing, with the pick order reversing in each subsequent round.
Each game will be played to a Final Target Score, meaning that a game will end with a made basket or a made free throw instead of with the clock running out. It will be a “Race to 75” to celebrate the league’s 75th anniversary season — Games 1 and 2 will be played until a team reaches 50 points; Game 3 will be played until a team reaches 25 points.
The 2022 #CloroxRisingStars player pool!
🌟 Friday, Feb 18 on TNT 🌟 pic.twitter.com/6K67VBw9qe
— NBA (@NBA) February 2, 2022
Admittedly, the Rising Stars game isn’t favored by fans. It falls behind the other competitions, and for good reasons.
Still, it is exciting to see the next wave of stars compete against each other, and it’s also a great way for many casual fans, who have yet to watch some of these youngsters, to see these players for themselves.
In any event, the talent on display will no doubt only add to a special weekend and it will be great to see how these players develop over the next few years.
