Tag: Tracker

NBA All-Star Weekend will feature a host of events on Feb. 14-16 in San Francisco, beginning with the Rising Stars game on Friday and culminating with the All-Star Game on Sunday night.

Last year in addition to the 3-point contest there was also a mixed 3-point competition featuring Golden State’s Steph Curry against New York Liberty star Sabrina Ionescu, with Ionescu falling to Curry in a close match. The NBA has not yet confirmed whether there will be a rematch or some other version of the event in this year’s festivities (though Caitlin Clark will not take part, if there is).

But what we do know is that players are beginning to commit to All-Star events, and we’re keeping track of who will be involved. This story will be updated as the field develops.

Rising Stars event

The NBA released its player pool for the Rising Stars event Tuesday, with young San Antonio Spurs star Victor Wembanyama being the clear headliner.

The 2025 Castrol Rising Stars pic.twitter.com/X1zpomdES8

— NBA Communications (@NBAPR) January 28, 2025

This event will be a four-team mini-tournament featuring young NBA players and a collection of NBA G League standouts. NBA rookies and sophomores will be drafted onto three teams on Feb. 4, with the G Leaguers making up a fourth team. The G League team will include Reed Sheppard, who was the No. 3 pick in the 2024 draft by the Houston Rockets. Sheppard is averaging 30.7 points, 8.3 assists and 2.7 steals per game for the Rio Grande Valley Vipers.

The four teams, each with seven-player rosters, will compete on Friday, Feb. 14, the first night of All-Star festivities.

Here are the players:

Rookies: Bub Carrington (Wizards), Stephon Castle (Spurs), Tristan Da Silva (Magic), Zach Edey (Grizzlies), Dalton Knecht (Lakers), Jared McCain (76ers), Yves Missi (Pelicans), Zaccharie Risacher (Hawks), Alex Sarr (Wizards), Jaylen Wells (Grizzlies).

Sophomores: Bilal Coulibaly (Wizards), Gradey Dick (Raptors), Keyonte George (Jazz), Scoot Henderson (Trail Blazers), Trayce Jackson-Davis (Warriors), Jaime Jaquez Jr. (Heat), Dereck Lively II (Mavericks), Brandon Miller (Hornets), Amen Thompson (Rockets), Cason Wallace (Thunder), Victor Wembanyama (Spurs).

NBA G League: JD Davison (Maine Celtics), Mac McClung (Osceola Magic), Bryce McGowens (Rip City Remix), Leonard Miller (Iowa Wolves), Dink Pate (Mexico City Capitanes), Reed Sheppard (Rio Grande Valley Vipers), Pat Spencer (Santa Cruz Warriors).

Slam dunk contest

Mac McClung will return and attempt to not only defend his crown, but to become the first person to win the even three times in a row. The 6-foot-2 McClung is a unique case, as he has only played in five NBA games in four years. Last year he was allowed to compete despite spending the entire season in the G League. He is currently on a two-way contract with the Orlando Magic.

Here is the field, as reported by ESPN. It has not yet been confirmed by the NBA.

• Mac McClung (Magic)
• Stephon Castle (Spurs)
• Matas Buzelis (Bulls)
• Andre Jackson Jr. (Bucks)

3-point contest

The participants are TBD. Damian Lillard won this event last year.

Skills Challenge

Contestants have yet to be revealed. Last year, this was won by Team Pacers when Tyrese Haliburton made a half-court shot in the tie-breaker round.

Required reading

(Photo: Luke Hales / Getty Images)