Chet Holmgren headlines NBA Rising Stars participants
Oklahoma City Thunder rookie Chet Holmgren will participate in the NBA All-Star weekend festivities, as the 7-footer headlines the pool of players chosen for the 2024 Rising Stars Challenge game.
The NBA announced the full list of 28 participants on its app Tuesday. Along with Holmgren, San Antonio Spurs rookie and No. 1 overall pick Victor Wembanyama is set to compete in the event.
Holmgren has made his case as a frontrunner to take home the NBA Rookie of the Year award with stellar play on both ends of the floor. The former Gonzaga standout is averaging 16.7 points, 7.5 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 2.6 blocks this season while shooting 53.3% from the field and 37.4% on 3-point attempts. His impact has helped the Thunder (32-15) surpass all preseason expectations set by prognosticators, as OKC is one game back of Minnesota for the No. 1 spot in the Western Conference standings.
Two other West Coast Conference alums are set to appear in the Rising Stars game. Holmgren's OKC teammate Jalen Williams (Santa Clara) and Golden State Warriors rookie Brandin Podziemski (Santa Clara) were among the top youngsters chosen.
Seattle native and current Orlando Magic forward Paolo Banchero headlined the group of 10 second-year players selected. The 6-foot-10 Duke product is averaging 23.0 points, 7.0 rebounds and 5.0 assists this season.
Left off this season's roster was Indiana Pacers guard and former Gonzaga floor general Andrew Nembhard. The Canadian had two points, three assists, a steal and a block off the bench in the 2023 Rising Stars game. Nembhard's numbers are similar to his rookie year, as he puts up 9.2 points and 4.7 assists per game while shooting 49.2% from the floor and 33.8% on 3-point attempts.
This season's Rising Stars Challenge will feature a tournament composed of four teams and three games. Three of the teams will draft from the pool of 21 rookies and sophomores, while the fourth is made up of the seven G-League players. WNBA legend Tamika Catchings and former NBA stars Pau Gasol, Jalen Rose and Detlef Schrempf will draft their teams on Feb. 6.
The Rising Stars Challenge will be Feb. 16 at 6 p.m. PST at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Indiana.
