The NBA announced a new format for the NBA Rising Stars Challenge for 2022. Doing away with the USA vs. World of the last few years, the rosters will now feature four teams.
Each team will be made up of seven players, all chosen out of a pool of 12 rookies, 12 sophomores, and four G-League Ignite players. They will then compete in a three-game mini-tournament.
Sources: The NBA has a new format for Rising Stars at All-Star Weekend, featuring four seven-player teams competing in a three-game tournament and each game having final target score.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) January 25, 2022
28 players: 12 rookies, 12 sophomores – and for the first time, four G League Ignite players.
The rosters will be chosen by NBA assistant coaches, but I took on the challenge of predicting the rosters here, starting with the G-League Ignite.
Predicting the NBA Rising Stars Rosters: G League Ignite
Picks: Jaden Hardy, Dyson Daniels, Scoot Henderson, Marjon Beauchamp
Possible snubs: Michael Foster Jr. Pooh Jeter, Malik Pope
There are a lot of choices for the G-League spots. Unlike last year with Jonathan Kuminga and Jalen Green, there are no prized prospects for the Ignite this year. That being said, Hardy, Daniels, Henderson, and Beauchamp are all expected to be drafted, giving them a slight edge over their teammates.
Predicting the NBA Rising Stars Rosters: Sophomores
Locks: LaMelo Ball, Saddiq Bey, Anthony Edwards, Tyrese Haliburton, Jae’Sean Tate, Desmond Bane, Isaac Okoro, Immanuel Quickley, Isaiah Stewart.
This one is easy. These names are just copied and pasted from last year’s All-Rookie First and Second Teams. That’s not including Patrick Williams, who suffered a season-ending injury just five games into his sophomore campaign.
That leaves three open spots for players who didn’t make an All-Rookie Team.
Likely picks: Tyrese Maxey, Cole Anthony, Onyeka Okongwu
Second-year breakouts Cole Anthony and Tyrese Maxey were easy picks to join the team.
The final selection was tough. Ultimately, I went with a big man, as the team was lacking size outside of Isaiah Stewart. That pitted Onyeka Oknongwu against Precious Achiuwa, and I gave the former a slight edge.
Achiuwa had the better debut season, but Onyeka has been stellar as a sophomore, especially as of late. Not only was he deserving, but he was high school teammates with LaMelo Ball. Perhaps they can team up for an alley-oop just like old times.
Possible snubs: Precious Achiuwa, Devin Vassell, Jaden McDaniels, Obi Toppin, Facundo Campazzo, RJ Hampton
Any of these names could leapfrog Okongwu for the final spot. As mentioned, Achiuwa is the most likely target, but Toppin could steal the spot thanks to the New York market.
Predicting the NBA Rising Stars Rosters: Rookies
These were much more difficult selections, which is a credit to how deep and talented this rookie class has been. It comes down to 12 rookies selected, and there have been more than 12 impressive rookies.
There are going to be snubs, and some passionate fan bases are going to be happy, while others will angrily tweet at the NBA. That being said, there has been a group that’s looked a step ahead of their fellow first-year players.
Locks: Cade Cunningham, Franz Wagner, Evan Mobley, Scottie Barnes, Josh Giddey
These have been the best five rookies this season, and they are the front-runners for Rookie of the Year. Any of them not making the Rising Stars roster would be a major surprise.
Likely Picks: Jalen Green, Jalen Suggs, Chris Duarte, Herbert Jones
Green is debatably a lock, but he has missed time and has been inconsistent while on the court. I’d be surprised if he missed out on the game. Suggs has been disappointing but is still popular, and Duarte and Jones have both been solid.
Last three in: Ayo Dosunmu, Bones Hyland, Omer Yurtseven
Possible snubs: Jonathan Kuminga, Austin Reaves, Alperen Sengun, Aaron Wiggins, Cameron Thomas, Jeremiah Robinson-Earl, Tre Mann
Oklahoma City has three non-Giddey rookies who could easily make it based on their stats. But at least some of that has been due to them earning playing time that they likely wouldn’t be getting elsewhere.
On the other hand, players like Bones Hyland and Jonathan Kuminga have looked good on talented teams, but still aren’t getting consistent playing time.
You could pick any three names from the bottom two lists and none would be bad additions.
The 2022 NBA Rising Stars Game will take place on Feb. 18 on TNT.