Two of the best rookie forwards in the league will go up against one another to help kick off the upcoming NBA All Star Weekend in Toronto.
This year, the NBA has decided to do a USA vs World Team match-up in the 2016 Rising Stars Challenge on Friday, February 12 at Toronto’s Air Canada Centre. Among the rising stars who will be participating in the challenge is Minnesota Timberwolves rookie center Karl-Anthony Towns. The favorite in this year’s Rookie Of The Year race is averaging 16.1 points, 9.7 rebounds a night for the youthful but talented baby Wolves.
Other rookies participating on the USA squad are Philadelphia 76ers center Jahlil Okafor and Los Angeles Lakers point guard D’Angelo Russell. The rest of the roster consists of sophomores such as Milwaukee Bucks forward Jabari Parker, Philadelphia 76ers forward Nerlens Noel and reigning NBA Slam Dunk champion Zach LaVine.
Meanwhile, the other rising star who will represent the world team is none other than New York Knicks power forward Kristaps Porzingis. Porzingis is on the heels of Anthony-Towns for contention for Rookie Of The Year as he’s been proving doubters wrong night in and night out, averaging 14 points, 7.8 rebounds and 2.0 blocks a night for the Knicks. Other notables on the roster along with Porzingis are Denver Nuggets rookie point guard Emmanuel Mudiay and last year’s Rookie Of The Year, Minnesota Timberwolves guard Andrew Wiggins. Here are the full rosters for both Team USA and World Team.
Team USA
Jordan Clarkson, G, Lakers
Rodney Hood, G, Jazz
Zach LaVine, G, Timberwolves
Nerlens Noel, F, 76ers
Jahlil Okafor, C, 76ers
Jabari Parker, F, Bucks
Elfrid Payton, G, Magic
Marcus Smart, G, Celtics
Karl-Anthony Towns, C, Timberwolves
WORLD TEAM
Bojan Bogdanovic, F, Nets
Clint Capela, C, Rockets
Mario Hezonja, G, Magic
Nikola Jokic, C, Nuggets
Nikola Mirotic, F, Bulls
Emmanuel Mudiay, G, Nuggets
Raul Neto, G, Jazz
Kristaps Porzingis, F, Knicks
Dwight Powell, F, Mavericks
Andrew Wiggins, G, Timberwolves
