Victor Wembanyama is the highest identify revealed from the Rising Stars rosters by the NBA on Tuesday.
Amongst these becoming a member of the San Antonio Spurs famous person for the sophomores are Amen Thompson, Scoot Henderson and Derrick Energetic II, although Energetic will miss out due to a stress fracture in his proper ankle. Essentially the most notable rookies on the listing are high decide Alex Sarr, in addition to Memphis Grizzlies standouts Jaylen Wells and Zach Edey.
Essentially the most vital gamers to make the reduce as G League picks are Houston Rockets guard Reed Sheppard and dunking sensation Mac McClung, who’s on a two-way contract with the Orlando Magic.
This recreation suggestions of All-Star festivities and might be performed on Friday, Feb. 14 at 9 p.m. EST.
Rookies: Bub Carrington, Stephon Fort, Tristan da Silva, Zach Edey, Dalton Knecht, Jared McCain, Yves Missi, Zaccharie Risacher, Alex Sarr, Jaylen Wells
Sophomores: Bilal Coulibaly, Gradey Dick, Keyonte George, Scoot Henderson, Trayce Jackson-Davis, Jaime Jaquez Jr., Dereck Energetic II, Brandon Miller, Amen Thompson, Cason Wallace, Victor Wembanyama
2025 NBA Rising Stars rosters launched: pic.twitter.com/0e7Bb7CbW4
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) January 28, 2025
G League: JD Davison, Mac McClung, Bryce McGowens, Leonard Miller, Dink Pate, Reed Sheppard, Pat Spencer
Battle For Rising Stars MVP
It’s all the time fascinating to see which gamers come out gunning for the MVP award on this recreation. Bennedict Mathurin made a transparent assertion of intent early on in final yr’s recreation. That aggressive spirit drove him house in carrying the award on the finish of the evening.
Wembanyama might wish to present he’s a category above the remaining, however the phrase “relaxation” may very well be an element differently. He seems to be all however set to be introduced as a reserve for the All-Star Sport. He’s averaging 24.5 factors, 10.8 rebounds, 3.7 assists, 1.1 steals and three.9 blocks per recreation. He’s additionally making 3.2 threes per recreation on 35.3 p.c taking pictures.
Scoot Henderson will certainly get loads of touches to place up the uncooked numbers, however this may occasionally certainly be Amen Thompson’s second within the highlight.
The Houston Rockets ahead has made a leap since coming into the beginning lineup instead of Jabari Smith Jr., averaging 19.2 factors, 11.5 rebounds, 4.4 assists, 2.2 steals and 1.2 blocks in 10 January video games.
On Monday evening, he hit a game-winner in Boston towards the Celtics, which had him “feeling like Kobe.”
AMEN THOMPSON’S LAST 10 GAMES:
🚀 19.2 ppg
🚀 11.5 rpg
🚀 4.4 apg
🚀 2.2 spg
🚀 1.2 bpg
🚀 8-2 fileBREAKOUT. STAR.pic.twitter.com/qcbnEyMhsx
— NBA (@NBA) January 28, 2025
Rising Stars Flying Beneath The Radar
Whereas there are the clearly headlining names listed above, this recreation will function a slew of gamers who might not have acquired as a lot publicity however are having excellent seasons in their very own proper. Rookies reminiscent of San Antonio’s Stephon Fort, Magic ahead Tristan da Silva and New Orleans Pelicans middle Yves Missi are all off to promising begins of their NBA profession.
Fort acquired a lift in taking part in time whereas changing Jeremy Sochan as a starter resulting from harm. Throughout 25 begins this season, Fort has averaged 14.7 factors, 2.8 rebounds, 4.2 assists and slightly below a steal in half-hour per recreation. Fort will even be collaborating on this yr’s dunk contest.
Because the Magic suffered one harm after one other, they had been pressured to take a by-committee strategy and search out contributions from anybody and everybody. Throughout a three-week span within the second half of December and the primary week of January, Da Silva got here by with six video games of at the least 15 factors in a nine-game stretch. He topped the 20-point mark thrice.
The Pelicans look resigned to the deep finish of the standings however Missi has been a shiny spot at middle. In 38 begins this season, the proficient 20-year-old has put up 9.1 factors, 8.3 rebounds and 1.4 blocks whereas taking pictures 57.4 p.c from the ground. Guards and forwards often dominate the ball on this recreation, however Missi has completely earned his choice.
Harm Absences
Philadelphia 76ers guard Jared McCain was named to the rookie roster however will miss the sport as he has already been dominated out for the rest of the season.
Charlotte Hornets wing Brandon Miller just lately underwent wrist surgical procedure and has additionally been dominated out for the season.