With NBA All-Star Weekend happening this weekend, it’s time to take a look into one of the more underrated events of the weekend. That would be the NBA Rising Stars game. The rookies, sophomores, and G-League studs will be drafted and divided across three teams coached by former NBA players and legends Jason Terry, Joakim Noah, Deron Williams, and Pau Gasol. Among the 28 players set to play in the games, here are the five I am most looking forward to seeing.
Honorable Mentions
Bones Hyland (G) – Los Angeles Clippers
The second-year guard out of VCU is a human highlight reel. From impressive drives to the basket to no-look passes, Bones continues to impress in his sophomore campaign. The newly traded guard finds a new home in the City of Angels, where he can help a playoff-bound Clippers team make some noise in the West.
Jabari Smith Jr. (F) – Houston Rockets
The once considered first overall pick is putting up solid numbers in his rookie campaign, where he is averaging 12 PPG, 7 RPG, and 1 BPG. He is not high in my rookie of the year rankings, but as someone who is overshadowed by his second-year teammates Jalen Green and Alperen Sengun, I look forward to seeing how he will play on a team where he can possibly be the focal point.
Kenneth Lofton Jr. (F) – Memphis Hustle
If you have not had the opportunity to watch Lofton Jr play, here is your written recommendation. The 6’7, 276-pound forward out of Louisiana Tech first burst on the scene when he helped the U.S. take home gold at the 2021 U19 FIBA games, a tournament in which he led his team in points. The big-bodied forward is dominating in the G-League and should be a pleasure to watch in the Rising Stars Game.
Top 5
5. Josh Giddey (G) – Oklahoma City Thunder
The Tik-Tok sensation has earned multiple votes from his fellow players for a spot in the All-Star game. However, as of now, Giddey remains on one roster for All-Star weekend, where he represents the sophomores in this game. The Aussie is putting up 16 PPG along with eight rebounds, where he is helping lead a thunder team that sits one game back of a play-in spot. Giddey is always a joy to watch for the avid basketball fan and should continue to be so in these games.
4. Bennedict Mathurin (G)- Indiana Pacers
Mathurin, a rookie out of Arizona, is putting up astounding numbers this year for an overachieving Pacers team. Mathurin is second in rookie of the year voting behind another member of this list, Paolo Banchero. The Pacers guard is proving to be a steal for Indiana, where he is averaging 17 PPG and 30 minutes a game all off the bench! Hopefully, Mathurin gets an opportunity to start this weekend, where he can continue to showcase his exciting game.
3. Leonard Miller (F)- G-League Ignite
Not a household name, Miller, a 19-year-old from Canada, is putting up big-time numbers in the G-League. The 6’10 forward is grabbing 8.5 RBG to pair with 15 PPG. A late first-rounder in many experts’ 2023 mock drafts, these games give Miller a huge opportunity to show why he deserves to be a lottery pick in next year’s draft.
2. Paolo Banchero (F) – Orlando Magic
This list wouldn’t be complete without Banchero. The current front-runner for rookie of the year was earning votes for All-Star honors, an honor that hasn’t been served by a rookie since Blake Griffin in 2012. Banchero seems to be the most NBA-ready rookie since LeBron James. The former Blue Devil is causing a stir across the league, averaging 20 PPG. I look forward to watching some Banchero dominance in these games.
1. Scoot Henderson (G) – G-League Ignite
Could you have predicted anyone else? Scoot Henderson is in close competition for next year’s 1st overall pick. The 18-year-old out of Georgia is putting up 18 PPG, five rebounds, and six assists for the G-League Ignite. Although on the smaller side, Henderson is NBA-ready and will have the opportunity to prove so for Team Jason.
