On Wednesday night, the NBA announced the squad for the Rising Stars Challenge as part of All-Star Weekend 2023. Franz Wagner will be there again – and a Magic teammate. A potential top pick in the upcoming draft can also be recommended.
A total of 28 players were nominated for the event, including eleven NBA rookies, ten sophomores – i.e. players who are in their second NBA season – and seven players from the G-League. The 21 NBA players were chosen by the assistant coaches of all 30 franchises, and the G-League players were chosen by the league office. Franz Wagner is the first German to take part for the second time. Last year he even decided the game.
The Rising Stars Challenge is held in the form of a mini-tournament in which four teams compete against each other. The seven G-League players form their own team, while the remaining 21 NBA players are divided into three teams. The head coaches this year are NBA legends Pau Gasol, Joakim Noah, Jason Terry and Deron Williams. Gasol, Noah and Williams will draft their own teams of NBA players.
In Salt Lake City, where the All-Star festivities take place this year, there will then be two semi-finals, with the two respective winners ultimately playing off the tournament winner in the final. There will be a target score of 40 points in the semi-finals and 25 points in the final. The games will take place on February 17th.
But now to the nominated players, sorted by rookies, sophomores and G-League stars.
