NBA Rising Stars Challenge Returns with a Twist for 2025
The NBA Rising Stars event at the 2025 All-Star Weekend is back, stirring up excitement with a new twist. Instead of pitting rookies against sophomores, this year features three teams full of first- and second-year NBA standouts and a special G-League squad as the fourth contender. The format leans into a mini-tournament style, giving basketball fans a taste of fast-paced, competitive action with the next generation of stars.
Coaches with legendary NBA pedigrees will guide each team. Tim Hardaway Sr. takes the helm for Team T, leading a roster that’s got plenty of buzz—Anthony Black and Tristan da Silva represent a resurgent Orlando Magic, with Gradey Dick bringing shooting power from Toronto. Jaime Jaquez Jr. has made waves for the Heat and now gets a chance under the Rising Stars spotlight. There’s also Zaccharie Risacher, who’s been a promising addition for Atlanta, and future-facing talents like Alex Sarr and Brandin Podziemski, who’ve made themselves known in Washington and Golden State, respectively. Anthony Black wasn't originally on the roster but slotted in as a replacement for Dereck Lively II, showing the fluid nature of these much-watched prospects.
Meanwhile, Team M—under the leadership of Mitch Richmond—features a pair of hit rookie twins: Amen and Ausar Thompson, shaking things up for the Rockets and Pistons. Amen replaces Victor Wembanyama, who stepped out due to injury, but the team holds its momentum. Add in athletic defender Toumani Camara, Denver’s sharpshooter Julian Strawther, and young Wizards standouts Bub Carrington and Bilal Coulibaly. Overseas big man Yves Missi, making waves with the Pelicans, rounds out their roster. Every player was picked not just for skills, but for the sparks they’ve provided since entering the league.
Spotlight on Future Stars and the G-League Challenge
It wouldn’t be the Rising Stars Challenge without a dose of hard-hitting matchups and a chance to see who rises to the occasion under bright All-Star lights. Enter Team Mullin, named for coach and Hall of Famer Chris Mullin. He’s betting on San Antonio’s Stephon Castle, a guard with court vision beyond his years; Zach Edey, the Grizzlies’ 7-footer who’s quickly becoming a paint presence nobody ignores; and Dalton Knecht, whose three-point shooting for the Lakers has put him on watchlists everywhere. Jaylen Wells and a few other fast climbers round out a squad that could shake the bracket if they mesh quickly.
The x-factor for 2025? The G-League squad, driven by the leadership of Jeremy Lin. This team brings raw talent and players hungry for the spotlight—often overlooked, these guys see All-Star Weekend as a shot to earn contracts and make real noise. Their scrappiness keeps NBA prospects on their toes, setting up the potential for surprise upsets and breakout performances.
With single-elimination semifinals and a winner-takes-all championship round, the stakes are simple—compete or go home. The format amps up every possession; there’s no coasting here, just relentless play from guys who want to prove they’re the future of the NBA.
Beyond the flash, the Rising Stars tournament offers a glimpse into basketball’s future. Between last-minute injury replacements like Anthony Black and Amen Thompson, big personalities, and young talent with something to prove, this year’s battle could end up being more entertaining than the big All-Star Game itself. With names that’ll soon be regulars on highlight reels and All-NBA ballots, fans might just be watching the birth of the next league legends.