Detroit Pistons: Rising Stars Challenge time, rosters, how to watch

The Detroit Pistons had two players chosen for the Rising Stars Challenge, though it was reported last night that Jalen Duren will not participate due to an ankle injury.

But Jaden Ivey will still be a part of the Jordan Mini-Tournament as well as the Skills Competition. Here is all the information you will need.

Detroit Pistons: When is the Rising Stars Challenge?

The Rising Stars game has more history than you’d think, and as such, the 28th incarnation of this now annual tradition will be taking place this Friday, February 17th night 9 p.m. in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Rising Stars Challenge format

What is now called the Jordan Rising Stars Challenge has gone through two major transformations since its inception in 1994. The current format was adopted just last year, and is a three-game mini tournament. 28 players have been selected from a pool of first and second-year players, as well as those in the G League. All total, there are 11 rookies, 10 sophomores, and 7 G-Leaguers.

The winners of the first two games will play each other in the final. The first two games will be played to 40 points and the final to 25 points to determine the champion.

Rising Stars Challenge Rosters

The teams will be coached by former NBA players Pau Gasol, Joakim Noah, Deron Williams and Jason Terry. As for the players themselves, we are gifted with a true glimpse into the future.

There are three different teams, built around the classification of the players: rookies, sophomores, and G-Leaguers. Paolo Banchero, and Detroit Pistons Jaden Ivey will lead the rookies. The sophomores are headed up by Evan Mobley and Scottie Barnes. The G-Leaguers feature perhaps the game’s most intriguing player in Scoot Henderson, the likely #2 pick in this June’s NBA Draft.

Here are the full teams:

• Team Pau: Paolo Banchero, Bennedict Mathurin, Jaden Ivey, Scottie Barnes, Jose Alvarado, Keegan Murray, Andrew Nembhard
• Team Deron: Franz Wagner, Alperen Sengun, Trey Murphy III, AJ Griffin, Bones Hyland, Walker Kessler, Ayo Dosunmu
• Team Joakim: Evan Mobley, Josh Giddey, Jalen Williams, Jeremy Sochan, Quentin Grimes, Jabari Smith Jr., Tari Eason
• Team Jason: Sidy Cissoko, Scoot Henderson, Mojave King, Kenneth Lofton Jr., Mac McClung, Leonard Miller, Scotty Pippen Jr.

How to watch the Rising Stars Challenge

The games will be featured on TNT for both television and streaming. You can also stream the games on NBA League Pass.

The shift in composition of the NFL’s Pro Bowl goes to show how important it is to try to keep these exhibitions fresh. They are potentially huge financial windfalls for the cities hosting the events, and they contribute to the overall fabric of the leagues themselves. The NBA was wise to include its future superstars in their All-Star weekend, as the tournament itself may be the most anticipated part of the weekend for many.