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Paolo Banchero, Scoot Henderson Headline 2023 NBA Rising Stars Player Pool
January 31, 2023
Orlando Magic forward Paolo Banchero and expected top-five draft pick Scoot Henderson headline the pool of players set for the 2023 NBA Rising Stars Challenge.
The NBA released the full list of players Tuesday on its app.
"Anytime you can get a chance to be a part of All-Star Weekend, you can't say no," Banchero said of the selection. "Especially me, being a rookie, first year, never experienced it before, it's always been the dream to just be a part of that whether it was Rising Stars or as a reserve. I'm definitely excited to get there and just see what it's like."
Banchero is the overwhelming favorite to win Rookie of the Year, posting averages of 20.7 points, 6.4 rebounds and 3.7 assists per game for the upstart Magic. With teammate Franz Wagner also in the mix, Orlando has two of the most promising players set to participate in this year's Rising Stars event.
Henderson will draw the most interest from scouts in attendance, given he's a mortal lock to be the No. 2 pick in the 2023 draft behind Victor Wembanyama. The G League Ignite guard is in his second season with the club after bypassing his senior high school season to play professionally. He's averaging 19.0 points, 6.1 assists and 4.9 rebounds this season while flashing elite athleticism and finishing skills off the bounce.
While there is little chance he surpasses Wembanyama as the top pick in June's draft, Henderson is the type of prospect who would have been the No. 1 selection in most recent drafts.
The Rising Stars Challenge is now a mini-tournament of sorts, featuring four teams of seven players. The 21 NBA players are divided onto teams coached by Pau Gasol, Joakim Noah and Deron Williams, and seven players from the G League will be coached by Jason Terry.
Once the teams are split, they will play in semifinals games with a target score of 40. The winners of those games will move on to the finals, playing a game to 25.