The current format used since 2022 includes rookie and sophomore NBA players and NBA G League players selected by the NBA's assistant coaches and league office. Former NBA players, designated as "honorary coaches", draft players for their respective teams, where they play in a single-elimination tournament to reach a Final Target Score in each game.[2]
History
Carmelo Anthony receiving an alley-oop during the 2004 Rookie Challenge game.
Rookie Challenge (1994–2011)
The Rookie Challenge, established in 1994, was originally competed by two randomly selected teams composed entirely of first-year players. This format was continued until 1996, when it was changed to pit rookie teams of both the Eastern and the Western Conference against each other. In 1999, the game was cancelled as a result of the NBA lockout. Since the 1998 rookie class did not compete that year, the game was revamped and featured a team of standout first-year players ('rookies') against a team of standout second-year players ('sophomores').
Rising Stars Challenge (2012–2021)
The format of the game and name was changed to the Rising Stars Challenge in 2012. For 2012 and 2013, the format was changed to having two teams drafted by Basketball Hall of FamersCharles Barkley (Team Chuck) and Shaquille O'Neal (Team Shaq).[3] In 2014, the two teams were drafted by Chris Webber (Team Webber) and Grant Hill (Team Hill). The game format changed in 2015 to Team USA vs Team World, where each team should choose at least three Rookies and three Sophomores, and the squad of each team should have four back courts, four front courts and two swingmen.
Unlike regular NBA games, the game was divided into two twenty-minute halves plus multiple five-minute overtime periods, similar to men's college basketball. The participating players were chosen by voting among the league's assistant coaches. In the game, players wear their respective regular team uniforms, except for 2009, in which players wore fan-designed jerseys. The head coaches of the two teams are the lead assistant coaches of the NBA All-Star Game coach. Starting in 2009, two active NBA players were added to the game coaching staffs.
Tournament-style format (2022–present)
The format was then changed again in 2022. 28 players are selected: 12 rookies, 12 sophomores, and 4 NBA G League Ignite players. They will be drafted into four teams of seven, which are led and coached by members of the NBA 75th Anniversary Team via a draft, in commemoration of the NBA's 75th anniversary season. The coaches include: Rick Barry, Gary Payton, Isiah Thomas and James Worthy. The format itself is now a tournament, with a Final Target Score for each round: 50 points for the semifinals, and 25 points for the finals, for a total of 75 points total for the team that wins the tournament, another nod to the NBA's 75th anniversary.[2]
The format was slightly altered in 2023. 28 players are still selected, but the pool now consists of 21 NBA rookies and sophomores, and 7 NBA G League players (not just limited to NBA G League Ignite). The Final Target Score for the semifinal games was lowered from 50 to 40. In 2023, the 21 NBA players were drafted into three teams led by Pau Gasol, Joakim Noah, and Deron Williams, while the 7 NBA G League players form a single team led by Jason Terry.[4] In 2024, the coaches were Pau Gasol, Tamika Catchings, Jalen Rose, and Detlef Schrempf, with Schrempf coaching the G League team.[1]
Said to be the most exciting Rookie Challenge in history due to all the highlight-reel dunks. Much of the hype centered on rookie phenoms LeBron James and Carmelo Anthony, who had 33 and 17 points respectively. Amar'e Stoudemire set a then-Rookie Challenge record with 36 points.
2005 game
The 2005 Rookie Challenge took place on February 18 at the Pepsi Center in Denver.
^DNP Derrick Rose was excused from the Rookie Challenge in consideration of being named to the All-Star Game and his participation in the Skills Challenge.[6] ^REP Anthony Morrow was named as a replacement for Derrick Rose.[6]
Shortly before the draft for the rosters, Norris Cole and Jeremy Lin were added to the original player pool.[8] A few days before the game, Tiago Splitter was injured and was replaced by Derrick Favors.[8][9] Lin played only nine minutes in the game, at his request, due to exhaustion from his rise to stardom that month.[10]
^INJ Tiago Splitter was unable to participate due to injury.[11] ^DNP Kawhi Leonard did not play due to a strained right calf.[12] ^REP Derrick Favors was named Tiago Splitter's replacement.[11]
^INJ1 Adams was unable to participate due to injury.[14] ^REP1 Nurkić was named as Adams' replacement.[14] ^INJ2 Carter-Williams was unable to participate due to injuries. ^REP2 Covington was named as Carter-Williams' replacement. ^INJ3 Olynyk was unable to participate due to injury.[14] ^REP3 Dellavedova was named as Olynyk's replacement.[14] ^OUT Nurkić decided to not participate for personal reasons. ^REP4 Papanikolaou was named as Nurkić's replacement.
^INJ1 Nerlens Noel was unable to participate due to injury.[17] ^REP1 Devin Booker was named as Noel's replacement.[17] ^INJ2 Nikola Mirotić was unable to participate due to injury.[18] ^REP2 Trey Lyles was named as Mirotić's replacement.[18]
Team USA won 157–154 in the highest scoring game in Rising Stars Challenge history.[19]Zach LaVine was named MVP, leading all of the USA team with 30 points while also recording 7 rebounds and 4 assists. Jordan Clarkson, D'Angelo Russell, and Devin Booker all scored over 20 points, with Russell also recording 7 assists. Kristaps Porziņģis and Emmanuel Mudiay led the way for Team World with 30 points each, with Andrew Wiggins also scoring 29 points.
^INJ1 Embiid was unable to participate due to a knee injury.[21] ^REP1 Abrines was named as Embiid's replacement.[21] ^INJ2 Mudiay was unable to participate due to a back injury.[22] ^REP2 Hernangómez was named as Mudiay's replacement.[22]
^INJ1 Malcolm Brogdon was unable to participate due to a leg injury.[24] ^REP1 Taurean Prince was selected as Malcolm Brogdon's replacement.[25] ^INJ2 Lonzo Ball was unable to participate due to a knee injury.[26] ^REP2 De'Aaron Fox was selected as Lonzo Ball's replacement.[27]
^INJ1 Wendell Carter Jr. was unable to participate due to a right ankle injury.[31] ^REP1 Zion Williamson was selected as Wendell Carter Jr.'s replacement.[31] ^INJ2 Tyler Herro was unable to participate due to a sore right ankle.[32] ^REP2 Collin Sexton was selected as Tyler Herro's replacement.[32] ^INJ3 Deandre Ayton was unable to participate due to a sore left ankle.[33] ^REP3 Nicolò Melli was selected as Deandre Ayton's replacement.[33]
Due to the downsizing of the All-Star Game due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the NBA All-Star Weekend was not held, and the Rising Stars Challenge was not played. The NBA still named the Rising Stars rosters of first- and second-year players.[34]
^INJ1 Chris Duarte was unable to participate due to a toe injury.[37] ^REP1 Jonathan Kuminga was selected as Chris Duarte's replacement.[37] ^INJ2 Davion Mitchell was unable to participate due to a hand injury.[38] ^REP2 Bones Hyland was selected as Davion Mitchell's replacement.[38]
^INJ1 Jalen Duren was unable to participate due to injury.[40] ^REP1 Tari Eason was selected as Jalen Duren's replacement.[40] ^INJ2 Jalen Green was unable to participate due to injury.[40] ^REP2 Ayo Dosunmu was selected as Jalen Green's replacement.[40]
^INJ1 Shaedon Sharpe was unable to participate due to injury.[42] ^REP1 Jeremy Sochan was selected as Shaedon Sharpe's replacement.[42] ^INJ2 Dyson Daniels was unable to participate due to injury.[43] ^REP2 Vince Williams Jr. was selected as Dyson Daniels's replacement.[43] ^INJ3 Ron Holland was unable to participate due to injury.[44] ^REP3 Emoni Bates was selected as Ron Holland's replacement.[44]
