Trio of former Kentucky Wildcats named to NBA's Rising Stars Challenge

John Calipari and Kentucky will be well represented at the NBA's Rising Stars Challenge in mid-February.

The NBA announced the full list of participants in the 2024 Panini Rising Stars Challenge, and a trio of former Kentucky Wildcats were selected for the event.

The 21 players picked were separated into three teams: NBA sophomores, NBA rookies, and NBA G League, with one Kentucky alumnus representing each team.

Former National Player of the Year and Kentucky icon Oscar Tshiebwe is representing the G-League, the only player on a two-way contract named to this event.

Tshiebwe has appeared in six NBA games with the Indiana Pacers, averaging 3.5 points and 2.0 rebounds, and in 10 games with the Ford Wayne Mad Ants he is averaging 12 points, 12 rebounds, and 1.3 assists.

Cason Wallace was one of 11 rookies selected for the event, joining Thunder teammate Chet Holmgren. The 10th pick in the 2023 NBA draft, Wallace is averaging 6.7 points and 2.3 rebounds while shooting 42.3% from three for Oklahoma City after a stellar season in Lexington in 2022-23.

Lastly, Shaedon Sharpe was among the ten selections for the sophomore squad. Sharpe did not suit up for the Wildcats for the 2021-22 season due to injury, but still declared for the NBA draft and was selected seventh overall by the Portland Trail Blazers - and he is averaging 15.9 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 2.9 assists in his second season.

The 21 rookies and sophomores will be divided into teams of three via draft and will participate in a mini-tournament against each other and the G-League. The games will be played on Friday, February 16 at 9:00 PM ET at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.