All-Star 2019: Team USA take on Team World in Rising Stars Challenge
Watch the Rising Stars Challenge from Charlotte's Spectrum Arena, live on Sky Sports Arena in the early hours of Saturday morning (2am)
Saturday 16 February 2019 05:37, UK
Reigning Rookie of the Year Ben Simmons, 2017-18 Rookie of the Year runner-up Donovan Mitchell and two-time reigning Western Conference Rookie of the Month Luka Doncic lead the list of 20 players selected to play in the 2019 Rising Stars Challenge.
Live NBA Rising Stars Challenge
The 25th Rising Stars Challenge pits 10 first- and second-year NBA players from the United States against 10 first- and second-year NBA players from around the world in the league's annual showcase of premier young talent that kicks off the 2019 All-Star Weekend.
In addition to Utah Jazz guard Mitchell, Team USA features Brooklyn Nets center Jarrett Allen, Sacramento Kings forward Marvin Bagley III and guard De'Aaron Fox, Los Angeles Lakers forward Kyle Kuzma, Atlanta Hawks forward/center John Collins and guard Trae Young, Memphis Grizzlies forward/center Jaren Jackson Jr and Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum.
Simmons (Australia) and Doncic (Slovenia) are joined on Team World by Toronto Raptors forward OG Anunoby (United Kingdom), Phoenix Suns center Deandre Ayton (Bahamas), Kings guard Bogdan Bogdanovic (Serbia), LA Clippers guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (Canada), Nets forward Rodions Kurucs (Latvia), Chicago Bulls forward Lauri Markkanen (Finland), Minnesota Timberwolves guard Josh Okogie (Nigeria) and Cleveland Cavaliers forward Cedi Osman (Turkey).
Each participant on Team World's 10-player roster hails from a different country, with four continents represented (North America, Africa, Europe and Australia).
Team World also includes three players who participated as campers in Basketball Without Borders (BWB), the NBA and FIBA's global basketball development and community outreach program: Ayton (BWB Global 2016), Gilgeous-Alexander (BWB Global 2016) and Markkanen (BWB Europe 2014; BWB Global 2015).
Boston Celtics' Kyrie Irving (Team USA) and Dallas Mavericks' Dirk Nowitzki (Team World) will serve as honourary coaches for the showpiece game.
Irving, a six-time NBA All-Star selection who will start this year's All-Star Game, was the 2012 Rising Stars MVP.
Nowitzki, a 13-time All-Star, ranks seventh on the NBA's all-time points list (31,310) and is the career scoring leader among international players. He played in the 2000 Rising Stars.
The 2019 Rising Stars will be the fifth occasion a Team USA vs Team World format has been used.
In last year's event, Team World Team defeated Team USA 155-124. Sacramento's Bogdanovic was named the 2018 Rising Stars MVP after making seven three-pointers and finishing with 26 points, six assists and four rebounds.
