For the first time ever, the NBA's annual showcase of rookies and sophomores during All-Star Weekend will not pit the two parties against each other. Instead, two teams will be drafted from a group of 18 rookies and sophomores (nine rookies, nine sophomores), which was decided through a poll of NBA assistant coaches.

The newly-created BBVA Rising Stars Challenge Draft, which will air live on NBA TV on Thursday, Feb. 16, at 7 p.m. EST, will feature TNT analysts Charles Barkley and Shaquille O'Neal drafting players for their own teams, TEAM CHUCK and TEAM SHAQ.

This is sure to be an exciting draft. While it doesn't carry nearly as much magnitude as the NBA draft does, the colorful personalities of Chuck and Shaq (and the inevitable questionable picks the two will make) will make this a very interesting watch.

However, how will the draft pan out? It's pretty clear who will be selected first, even if the owner of that pick has yet to be determined. The rest of the draft, though, could be a little more interesting, especially given the sometimes different, for lack of a better word, opinions of Chuck and Shaq.

Here's my quick mock draft:

First Pick, Team A: Blake Griffin, Los Angeles Clippers

No surprise here. Griffin, the starting power forward for the West All-Stars, has shown world-class potential and has already accomplished a lot over his young career. Nobody else in the draft matches up to him in terms of talent or athleticism, and whoever snags Griffin will almost definitely be the favorite to win the game.

Team A: Blake Griffin

Blake Griffin is a lock to be selected first in the Rising Stars Challenge Draft.
Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images

Second Pick, Team B: Kyrie Irving, Cleveland Cavaliers

In the early stages of this season, Kyrie Irving has separated himself from the rest of his fellow rookies. Nobody else has stepped up to be the best player on his team quite like Irving has. He's the future of the Cavaliers, and with his ability to score as well as create plays, he'll be a good condolence prize for whoever misses out on Griffin.

Team B: Kyrie Irving

Third Pick, Team A: Ricky Rubio, Minnesota Timberwolves

Surprisingly enough, the rookie Rubio has been quietly debated as an All-Star this year. While that's highly unlikely to happen, the Spaniard has clearly proved the doubters wrong. Pairing him with Griffin in a game where not a lot of defense is expected is sure to result in a lot of points and a lot of highlights.

Team A: Blake Griffin, Ricky Rubio

Fourth Pick, Team B John Wall, Washington Wizards

Though he's been slumping this year, we all still know the first overall pick in the 2010 NBA Draft has some serious game. In last year's T-Mobile Rookie Challenge, Wall was named the MVP after putting up a record 22 assists—five more than the previous titleholder, a guy named Chris Paul. His incredible speed and athleticism will be invaluable as well, given the relaxed atmosphere of the game. Together, Wall and Irving would combine to be a very dynamic and dominant backcourt.

Team B: Kyrie Irving, John Wall

John Wall, the MVP of last year's T-Mobile Rookie Challenge.
Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images

Fifth Pick, Team A: DeMarcus Cousins, Sacramento Kings

For all his maturity issues, Cousins has proven to be a dominant big man in the paint. He'll be an excellent player to put beside Griffin on the front line, banging in the paint when Griffin is hanging around the mid-range area or vice versa. Like Griffin, Cousins has a nice mid-range shot for a big man. In fact, Cousins is probably the more consistent shooter of the two. He'll draw attention from Griffin and will likely score 20-25 points of his own.

Team A: Blake Griffin, Ricky Rubio, DeMarcus Cousins

Sixth Pick, Team B: Greg Monroe, Detroit Pistons

With two guards and no bigs, this team desperately needs someone to hold down the paint against Griffin and Cousins. They would be crazy to skip out on Monroe, who can be a very dominant big man himself. Monroe isn't as heralded as Griffin or Cousins (nor as talented), but he can put up good scoring and rebounding numbers as well as annoy Griffin and Cousins defensively.

Team B: Kyrie Irving, John Wall, Greg Monroe

Seventh Pick, Team A: Paul George, Indiana Pacers

George has come out of the gates running this season, playing the best basketball of his career right now. The athletic swingman has incredible scoring potential and will offer his team a much-needed perimeter presence. He is also a great player to complement Rubio, as he can throw down some nasty dunks if given the opportunity.

Team A: Blake Griffin, Ricky Rubio, DeMarcus Cousins, Paul George

Eighth Pick, Team B: MarShon Brooks, New Jersey Nets

The closest thing to a small forward worth taking at this point in the draft, Brooks is a pure scorer. With Irving and Wall likely to see a lot of defensive attention, Brooks should be able to get himself a lot of open shots and produce nicely for his team at the three-point line.

Team B: Kyrie Irving, John Wall, Greg Monroe, MarShon Brooks

Ninth Pick, Team A: Kemba Walker, Charlotte Bobcats

In a guard-heavy draft, Kemba might slip a little. However, he's obviously a talented player, one capable of triple-doubling (as he has already done once this season). Since Rubio isn't much of a scorer himself, Walker will give his team a couple points out of the backcourt. Actually, Walker might be able to put up a lot of points, but we'll see what happens.

Team A: Blake Griffin, Ricky Rubio, DeMarcus Cousins, Paul George, Kemba Walker

10th Pick, Team B: Tiago Splitter, San Antonio Spurs

This pick may be a little bit of a reach, but Splitter gives his team a big body to fill up the paint. Given their makeup, the opposing team will definitely make the paint their preferred scoring location. Throwing the tough Tiago Splitter in there could make things a bit harder for the opposing team. His banger-style game is a good complement to Monroe, who's a little quicker on his feet.

Team B: Kyrie Irving, John Wall, Greg Monroe, MarShon Brooks, Tiago Splitter

11th Pick, Team A: Evan Turner, Philadelphia 76ers

Team A has a lot of options here, but Turner is probably the guy they'll go with. He has been considered a bust since being drafted second in the 2010 NBA Draft and failing to meet the expectations that accompany that selection, but he should do just fine for his team as a defensive stopper against the likes of Kyrie Irving, John Wall, and Kemba Walker. Turner should also throw in a few points from the perimeter as well.

Team A: Blake Griffin, Ricky Rubio, DeMarcus Cousins, Paul George, Kemba Walker, Evan Turner

12th Pick, Team B: Derrick Williams, Minnesota Timberwolves

The No. 2 pick in the 2011 NBA Draft should go right about here as well. He hasn't performed too well either, but Derrick Williams would be a good player to have backing up both forward positions for his team. Though it's a little sad to split up Rubio and Williams, who have already hooked up for highlights at the rim many times this season, Williams should get his dunks all the same through Kyrie Irving and John Wall. Obviously, Rubio will be just fine too, with Blake Griffin.

Team B: Kyrie Irving, John Wall, Greg Monroe, MarShon Brooks, Tiago Splitter, Derrick Williams

13th Pick, Team A: Tristan Thompson, Cleveland Cavaliers

As good as Griffin and Cousins are, they still need some bench relief. Thompson is very raw offensively but gives them an extremely athletic and extremely talented shot-blocking presence defensively. Also, he's not a bad dunker himself, so there's some potential here for Rubio (I just couldn't resist pointing this out).

Team A: Blake Griffin, Ricky Rubio, DeMarcus Cousins, Paul George, Kemba Walker, Evan Turner, Tristan Thompson

14th Pick, Team B: Markieff Morris, Phoenix Suns

Morris is a much better shooter than any other big man in this draft, making him a little more interesting. He'll be a good fit with playmakers like Wall and Irving and will be a very good option for the team if they decide to play an up-tempo or small ball lineup.

Team B: Kyrie Irving, John Wall, Greg Monroe, MarShon Brooks, Tiago Splitter, Derrick Williams, Markieff Morris

15th Pick, Team A: Brandon Knight, Detroit Pistons

He's better than some of the other guys selected over him, but given the depth of point guard talent in this draft, Brandon Knight probably won't be selected until pretty late in the draft. Still, he gives his team a backup point guard, one who can create scoring chances for either himself or his teammates.

Team A: Blake Griffin, Ricky Rubio, DeMarcus Cousins, Paul George, Kemba Walker, Evan Turner, Tristan Thompson, Brandon Knight

16th Pick, Team B: Landry Fields, New York Knicks

Fields has struggled a bit this season, like almost every other Knick, but he'll be a good player to add to this team. Fields doesn't have a really flashy game, but he'll give his team some backcourt size and an offensive player capable of spot-up shooting as well as driving the lane.

Team B: Kyrie Irving, John Wall, Greg Monroe, MarShon Brooks, Tiago Splitter, Derrick Williams, Markieff Morris, Landry Fields

17th Pick, Team A: Gordon Hayward, Utah Jazz

A smart player with a good outside shot, Hayward will be a nice complementary piece to add to this team. He'll space the floor and, at times, help initiate the offense as an intelligent playmaker at the wing position.

Team A: Blake Griffin, Ricky Rubio, DeMarcus Cousins, Paul George, Kemba Walker, Evan Turner, Tristan Thompson, Brandon Knight, Gordon Hayward

18th Pick (Team B): Kawhi Leonard, San Antonio Spurs

With a very versatile game, Leonard offers a bit of everything. He has been very inconsistent this season, but with the last pick in the draft, getting a guy who can do a little bit of everything is pretty good for this team, especially given their makeup.

Team B: Kyrie Irving, John Wall, Greg Monroe, MarShon Brooks, Tiago Splitter, Derrick Williams, Markieff Morris, Landry Fields, Kawhi Leonard