Inside The Wizards

Wizards Could See Fast Track to All-Star Game

The Washington Wizards could soon be featured in the All-Star Game.

Jeremy Brener

Nov 13, 2024; San Antonio, Texas, USA; Washington Wizards forward Alex Sarr (20) goes up to dunk while defended by San Antonio Spurs center Victor Wembanyama (1) during the second half at Frost Bank Center. Mandatory Credit: Scott Wachter-Imagn Images
Nov 13, 2024; San Antonio, Texas, USA; Washington Wizards forward Alex Sarr (20) goes up to dunk while defended by San Antonio Spurs center Victor Wembanyama (1) during the second half at Frost Bank Center. Mandatory Credit: Scott Wachter-Imagn Images / Scott Wachter-Imagn Images
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The Washington Wizards haven't had an All-Star in four years, but there's a way the franchise could soon make a return to the big game.

While there is always the chance for a player to break out like Jordan Poole, Bilal Coulibaly or Alex Sarr, a faster way to get to the All-Star Game could soon be available.

ESPN insider Shams Charania is reporting that there could soon be a change to the All-Star Game format, which has received criticism over the past few years.

The potential new format would follow a similar path that the Rising Stars Challenge has taken over the past few years. The Rising Stars Challenge has been met with critical acclaim as there are four teams of seven that compete in a tournament to determine who wins.

In the new All-Star format, the winning team from the Rising Stars challenge would be the fourth team participating on Sunday, and they would have to face three teams of All-Stars.

The new format could begin as early as next year, where players like Sarr, Bub Carrington and Kyshawn George would be second-year players that are eligible for the Rising Stars Challenge. If they made it to the Rising Stars Challenge and won, they would move on and participate in the All-Star tournament on Sunday.

A format change like this allows fan bases with younger players to get more involved, and it may ignite a competitive edge from the All-Stars, even though it has been lacking over the past few years.

The All-Stars wouldn't want to lose to the Rising Stars, so they would bring that competitive edge, because the younger players want an opportunity to show out in front of a national stage.

The new format isn't official, but if it comes into fruition, we could see some Wizards playing under the bright lights.

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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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