The Magic Insider

BREAKING: Paolo Banchero, Franz Wagner Representing Magic at 2023 Rising Stars Challenge

A pair of the Orlando Magic's top prospects will be under the bright lights at All-Star Weekend in next month's Rising Stars Challenge.

Jeremy Brener

BREAKING: Paolo Banchero, Franz Wagner Representing Magic at 2023 Rising Stars Challenge
BREAKING: Paolo Banchero, Franz Wagner Representing Magic at 2023 Rising Stars Challenge /
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ORLANDO - The Orlando Magic likely won't have a player in this year's All-Star Game ... but there will be some rising stars competing to kick off the weekend.

According to The Athletic, Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner will participate in this year's Rising Stars Challenge on Friday, Feb. 17 in Salt Lake City.

Here's a full list of those participating in the event:

Rookies: Paolo Banchero (Orlando Magic), Jalen Duren (Detroit Pistons), AJ Griffin (Atlanta Hawks), Jaden Ivey (Detroit Pistons), Walker Kessler (Utah Jazz), Bennedict Mathurin (Indiana Pacers), Keegan Murray (Sacramento Kings), Andrew Nembhard (Indiana Pacers), Jabari Smith Jr. (Houston Rockets), Jeremy Sochan (San Antonio Spurs), Jalen Williams (Oklahoma City Thunder)

Sophomores: Jose Alvarado (New Orleans Pelicans), Scottie Barnes (Toronto Raptors), Josh Giddey (Oklahoma City Thunder), Jalen Green (Houston Rockets), Quentin Grimes (New York Knicks), Bones Hyland (Denver Nuggets), Evan Mobley (Cleveland Cavaliers), Trey Murphy III (New Orleans Pelicans), Alperen Sengun (Houston Rockets), Franz Wagner (Orlando Magic)

G League: Scoot Henderson (G League Ignite), Sidy Cissoko (G League Ignite), Mojave King (G League Ignite), Kenneth Lofton Jr. (Memphis Hustle), Leonard Miller (G League Ignite), Mac McClung (Delaware Blue Coats), Scotty Pippen Jr. (South Bay Lakers)

If last year's format repeats itself, the 28 players will be drafted into four teams of seven and compete in two semifinal games to 50 points.

The winning teams will then face off in a game to 25 points to determine the winner of the Rising Stars Challenge.

Last year, Wagner was part of the winning "Team Barry," drafted by NBA legend Rick Barry. Now, he's eyeing a second championship in Salt Lake next month.

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Jeremy Brener
JEREMY BRENER

Jeremy Brener is an editor, writer and social media manager for several Fan Nation websites. His work has also been featured in 247 Sports and SB Nation as a writer and podcaster. Brener has been with Fan Nation since 2021. Brener grew up in Houston, going to Astros, Rockets and Texans games as a kid. He moved to Orlando in 2016 to go to college and pursue a degree. He hosts "The Dream Take" podcast covering the Rockets, which has produced over 350 episodes since March 2020. Brener graduated in May 2020 from the University of Central Florida with a Bachelor's degree in Broadcast Journalism minoring in Sport Business Management. While at UCF, Brener worked for the school's newspaper NSM.today and "Hitting the Field," a student-run sports talk show and network. He was the executive producer for "Hitting the Field" from 2019-20. During his professional career, Brener has covered a number of major sporting events including the Pro Bowl, March Madness and several NBA and NFL games. As a fan, Brener has been to the 2005 World Series, 2010 FIFA World Cup and the 2016 NCAA National Championship between the Villanova Wildcats and North Carolina Tar Heels. Now, Brener still resides in the Central Florida area and enjoys writing, watching TV, hanging out with friends and going to the gym. Brener can be followed on Twitter @JeremyBrener. For more inquiries, please email jeremybrenerchs@gmail.com.

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