NEWSLETTER
An All-Star Weekend staple is getting a face-lift.
The NBA announced today the Rising Stars game would have a completely revamped format. The event will turn into a tournament between four teams of seven players each. A total of 12 rookies, 12 sophomores, and 4 G-League Ignite team members will create a 24-person pool.
The coaching staff for each of the four teams – consisting of All-Star Game assistant coaches and NBA 75th Anniversary players – will then draft a team to compete.
A total of three games will be played (Team A vs. B, Team C vs. D, Winner of A/B vs. Winner of C/D) with a special “Clutch Challenge” held before the final game. Players will compete to hit iconic shots from over the NBA’s 75 years in the event.
I don’t know about you, but I think this sounds totally awesome. The Rising Stars game, albeit nice, always felt like the least important event of the weekend. However, with this revamped system, I think it could very well turn into one of the more exciting basketball activities of the break, especially with an Elam Ending added to the end of each game.
Also, if the NBA wants to make sure a vast market is invested, I recommend they throw Ayo Dosunmu into the mix! The second-round steal is coming off a career-high against the Thunder, and he’s quickly established himself as one of the most impactful rookies in the league. Any roster without him would feel disrespectful, and we all know Chicago wants to see him re-create The Shot!
For more info on the new-look Rising Stars game, check out the NBA’s full press release below:
The NBA announced today a new format for the 2022 @Clorox Rising Stars, which will be played on Friday, Feb. 18 at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse in Cleveland as part of NBA All-Star 2022.
Full release ➡️ https://t.co/pXhwYCLdlf
Overview ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/V5JZJwZirZ
— NBA Communications (@NBAPR) January 25, 2022
