NBA Rising Stars Challenge 2015: Participant List, Historical Records and More
The NBA Rising Stars Challenge is often an unheralded aspect of All-Star weekend, but a look back at the history of the game shows that many of the best players in the sport have participated in it.
Like all major sports leagues, the NBA is always looking to cultivate new stars. Some players, such as LeBron James, are obviously at that level as soon as they turn pro, but it takes others a little more time.
The Rising Stars Challenge is useful in that regard, as it allows players to gauge themselves against others with similar experience and talent. Performing well during the event doesn't guarantee actual success, but many of the game's MVPs have gone on to accomplish great things.
Here is a breakdown of the the 2015 Rising Stars Challenge as well as a look at the evolution of the game since its inception in 1994.
Rosters
| G | Trey Burke | Jazz |
| G | Kentavious Caldwell-Pope | Pistons |
| G | Michael Carter-Williams | 76ers |
| G | Zach LaVine | Timberwolves |
| F | Shabazz Muhammad | Timberwolves |
| C | Nerlens Noel | 76ers |
| G | Victor Oladipo | Magic |
| G | Elfrid Payton | Magic |
| C | Mason Plumlee | Nets |
| F | Cody Zeller | Hornets |
| C | Jusuf Nurkic | Nuggets |
| G/F | Giannis Antetokounmpo | Bucks |
| G/F | Bojan Bogdanovic | Nets |
| C | Gorgui Dieng | Timberwolves |
| G | Dante Exum | Jazz |
| C | Rudy Gobert | Jazz |
| F | Nikola Mirotic | Bulls |
| C | Kelly Olynyk | Celtics |
| G | Dennis Schroder | Hawks |
| G/F | Andrew Wiggins | Timberwolves |
Steven Adams was originally a participant, but was replaced Jusuf Nurkic due to injury on Feb. 9, according to Alex Kennedy of Basketball Insiders.
In addition, Kelly Olynyk is not expected to play, per Brad Stevens, via the Celtics on Twitter.
NBA writer Steve McPherson notes how stacked the World roster is on paper:
Start Time: Friday, Feb. 13, at 9 p.m. ET
TV: TNT
Where: Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York
Live Stream: TNT Overtime
Mobile: NBA Mobile
Game Format
While the Rising Stars Challenge has always been about showcasing the NBA's brightest young players, the roster format has changed over the years.
After a few seasons in which NBA legends picked the teams, the game will feature an interesting twist in 2015, as first- and second-year players will form a Team USA and a Team World, according to Marc J. Spears of Yahoo Sports:
That international flavor may make for a more competitive game, and there is no question that each team will be more cohesive.
The contest almost always plays out like the All-Star Game itself, with its emphasis on scoring rather than defense. Based on the quality of young players in the NBA this season, that should make for an extremely fun matchup.
All-Time Results
| 2014 | Team Hill 142, Team Webber 136 | Andre Drummond |
| 2013 | Team Chuck 163, Team Shaq 135 | Kenneth Faried |
| 2012 | Team Chuck 146, Team Shaq 133 | Kyrie Irving |
| 2011 | Rookies 148, Sophomores 140 | John Wall |
| 2010 | Rookies 140, Sophomores 128 | Tyreke Evans |
| 2009 | Sophomores 122, Rookies 116 | Kevin Durant |
| 2008 | Sophomores 136, Rookies 109 | Daniel Gibson |
| 2007 | Sophomores 155, Rookies 114 | David Lee |
| 2006 | Sophomores 106, Rookies 96 | Andre Iguodala |
| 2005 | Sophomores 133, Rookies 106 | Carmelo Anthony |
| 2004 | Sophomores 142, Rookies 118 | Amar'e Stoudemire |
| 2003 | Sophomores 132, Rookies 112 | Gilbert Arenas |
| 2002 | Rookies 103, Sophomores 97 | Jason Richardson |
| 2001 | Sophomores 121, Rookies 113 | Wally Szczerbiak |
| 2000 | Rookies 92, Sophomores 83 | Elton Brand |
| 1998 | East 85, West 80 | Zydrunas Ilgauskas |
| 1997 | East 96, West 91 | Allen Iverson |
| 1996 | East 94, West 92 | Damon Stoudemire |
| 1995 | White 83, Green 79 | Eddie Jones |
| 1994 | Phenoms 74, Sensations 68 | Anfernee Hardaway |
Greatest Rising Stars Performers
Kevin Durant (2009)
Oklahoma City Thunder star Kevin Durant is one of the most prolific scorers in a very long time. Perhaps that is why it isn't particularly surprising that he lit up the 2009 Rising Stars Challenge in record fashion.
Durant scored 46 points as a member of Team Sophomores, a scoring record that still stands and will be extremely difficult to top.
KD's team won by six against a talented Rookies squad that featured Memphis Grizzlies center Marc Gasol and Durant's Thunder teammate, Russell Westbrook.
There may not be a Durant-level player in this year's Rising Stars Game, but it can be argued a player of his ilk only comes around once or twice in a generation.
Durant's star power was already obvious before, but his performance put an exclamation point on the fact that he had arrived and was there to stay.
Kenneth Faried (2013)
Forward Kenneth Faried likely entered the NBA with a bit of a chip on his shoulder when the Denver Nuggets drafted him relatively low with the No. 22 pick in 2011. Perhaps he used it as motivation in the 2013 Rising Stars Challenge.
As a member of Charles Barkley's Team Chuck, Faried put on one of the greatest performances in the history of the event. He dropped 40 points, which is the all-time second to Durant, while also adding 10 rebounds.
Faried has made just one career three-point field goal during the regular season, but he was even hitting from downtown in this game, according to Kurt Helin of Pro Basketball Talk:
Although Faried hasn't developed into a true superstar, he is a very productive player, especially on the glass. He was elite for at least one night, however, which made for some compelling television.
Kyrie Irving (2012)
Cleveland Cavaliers point guard Kyrie Irving hasn't yet won as many NBA games as a lot of people expected, but he is well on his way to his third consecutive season averaging 20 or more points per game in just his fourth season overall.
He is an explosive scorer who is very difficult to stop when he has a hot hand, which was apparent in the 2012 Rising Stars Challenge.
Irving was dominant as a rookie on Team Chuck to the tune of 34 points on eight three-pointers. In fact, his sharpshooting performance was a preview of what would happen the next season, when he won the 2013 Three-Point Shootout.
It certainly isn't surprising that Irving excelled in an environment that emphasizes skill. He's still developing his all-around game but certainly flashed his potential in the 2012 Rising Stars Challenge.
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