3 points

NBA All-Star Weekend: Rising Stars Event Kicks Off with a Twist

The NBA’s All-Star Weekend has officially begun, and it started with a bang on Friday night with the Rising Stars event. This year, the event introduced an exciting new twist: the winner of the tournament, which features first- and second-year NBA players along with a G League representative, earns the opportunity to participate in Sunday’s All-Star Game. This change adds a new layer of excitement and competition to the weekend’s festivities.

Throughout the weekend, we’ll be grading the competitors in various events, starting with Friday’s Rising Stars showcase. Be sure to check back after Saturday’s events, which will include the skills challenge, three-point contest, and dunk contest. Then, on Sunday, the All-Star Game will take center stage with a brand-new four-team format.

Rising Stars: Team C Shines

Team C, selected and co-coached by Naismith Basketball Hall of Famer Chris Mullin, emerged victorious and will advance to Sunday’s NBA All-Star Game. WNBA legend Candace Parker will take over as honorary GM of what will become Team Candace. While this team may be outclassed in terms of experience and talent on Sunday, the players developed strong chemistry during their two wins on Friday. If they play with the same intensity, they could pose a challenge to their opponents, Shaq’s OGs, which features MVPs Stephen Curry, Kevin Durant, and LeBron James, especially if the OGs treat Sunday like an exhibition rather than a competition.

In her role as GM, Parker made a strategic choice by selecting Amen Thompson to join Friday’s winners for Sunday’s game. Thompson was the right pick to complement this group and immediately becomes Team Candace’s strongest player.

Player Grades from the Rising Stars Event

• Winner: Team C
• Honorary coach: Chris Mullin

Stephon Castle, G, San Antonio Spurs
Final: 12 points