The Rising Stars Challenge is a basketball exhibition game held by the National Basketball Association (NBA) on the Friday before the annual All-Star Game as part of the All-Star Weekend and is intended to showcase young and rising players in the league (mainly rookies from the games inception in 1994, second-year players since 2000 and NBA G League players since 2022). Since 2025, the game and surrounding events are sponsored by Castrol and is known as Castrol Rising Stars, with the 2026 event occurring on Friday, February 13 at Intuit Dome.

The current format used since 2022 includes rookie and sophomore NBA players and NBA G League players selected by the NBA's assistant coaches and league office. Former NBA players, designated as "honorary coaches", draft players for their respective teams, where they play in a single-elimination tournament to reach a Final Target Score in each game.

History

Rookie Challenge (1994–2011) The Rookie Challenge, established in 1994, was originally competed by two randomly selected teams composed entirely of first-year players. This format was continued until 1996, when it was changed to pit rookie teams of both the Eastern and the Western Conference against each other. In 1999, the game was cancelled as a result of the NBA lockout. Since the 1998 rookie class did not compete that year, the game was revamped in 2000 and featured a team of standout first-year players ('rookies') against a team of standout second-year players ('sophomores'). This format of Rookies vs Sophomores would continue past the 2000 game until the 2012.

Rising Stars Challenge (2012–2021) The format of the game and name was changed to the Rising Stars Challenge in 2012. For 2012 and 2013, the format was changed to having two teams drafted by Basketball Hall of Famers Charles Barkley (Team Chuck) and Shaquille O'Neal (Team Shaq). In 2014, the two teams were drafted by Chris Webber (Team Webber) and Grant Hill (Team Hill). The game format changed in 2015 to Team USA vs Team World, where each team should choose at least three Rookies and three Sophomores, and the squad of each team should have four back courts, four front courts and two swingmen.

Unlike regular NBA games, the game was divided into two twenty-minute halves plus multiple five-minute overtime periods, similar to men's college basketball. The participating players were chosen by voting among the league's assistant coaches. In the game, players wear their respective regular team uniforms, except for 2009, in which players wore fan-designed jerseys. The head coaches of the two teams are the lead assistant coaches of the NBA All-Star Game coach. Starting in 2009, two active NBA players were added to the game coaching staffs.

Tournament-style format (2022–present) The format was then changed again in 2022. 28 players are selected: 12 rookies, 12 sophomores, and 4 NBA G League Ignite players. They will be drafted into four teams of seven, which are led and coached by members of the NBA 75th Anniversary Team via a draft, in commemoration of the NBA's 75th anniversary season. The coaches include: Rick Barry, Gary Payton, Isiah Thomas and James Worthy. The format itself is now a tournament, with a Final Target Score for each round: 50 points for the semifinals, and 25 points for the finals, for a total of 75 points total for the team that wins the tournament, another nod to the NBA's 75th anniversary.

The format was slightly altered in 2023. 28 players are still selected, but the pool now consists of 21 NBA rookies and sophomores, and 7 NBA G League players (not just limited to NBA G League Ignite). The Final Target Score for the semifinal games was lowered from 50 to 40. In 2023, the 21 NBA players were drafted into three teams led by Pau Gasol, Joakim Noah, and Deron Williams, while the 7 NBA G League players form a single team led by Jason Terry. In 2024, the coaches were Pau Gasol, Tamika Catchings, Jalen Rose, and Detlef Schrempf, with Schrempf coaching the G League team. The format used in 2023 and 2024 will be used for the main NBA All-Star Game beginning in 2025, with the winner of the Rising Stars Challenge additionally qualifying for the All-Star Game itself. In 2025, with the event being held in San Francisco, the NBA rookies and sophomores were coached by the Run TMC trio of Tim Hardaway, Mitch Richmond, and Chris Mullin, with the teams named after their respective initials. The G League team was coached by Jeremy Lin, who began his career with the Golden State Warriors. List of rosters and results

1994 game The 1994 Rookie Challenge took place on February 12 at the Target Center in Minneapolis. Penny Hardaway was the MVP of the game.

+Sensations Pos. Player Team SF Chris Mills Cleveland Cavaliers SF Jamal Mashburn Dallas Mavericks C Shawn Bradley Philadelphia 76ers PG Penny Hardaway Orlando Magic PG Nick Van Exel Los Angeles Lakers SG Calbert Cheaney Washington Bullets C P. J. Brown New Jersey Nets PF Popeye Jones Dallas Mavericks Head coach: K. C. Jones

+Phenoms Pos. Player Team SF Toni Kukoč Chicago Bulls PF Dino Rađa Boston Celtics PF Chris Webber Golden State Warriors PG Lindsey Hunter Detroit Pistons SG Isaiah Rider Minnesota Timberwolves PF Antonio Davis Indiana Pacers PG Sam Cassell Houston Rockets SF Bryon Russell Utah Jazz Head coach: Doug Collins

1995 game The 1995 Rookie Challenge took place on February 11 at the America West Arena in Phoenix.

+Green Team Pos. Player Team PF Brian Grant Sacramento Kings PF Juwan Howard Washington Bullets SF Sharone Wright Philadelphia 76ers SG Eddie Jones Los Angeles Lakers PG Jason Kidd Dallas Mavericks SF Jalen Rose Denver Nuggets PF Anthony Tucker Washington Bullets PF Michael Smith Sacramento Kings Head coach: Al Attles

+White Team Pos. Player Team SF Glenn Robinson Milwaukee Bucks SF Lamond Murray Los Angeles Clippers C Eric Montross Boston Celtics SG Wesley Person Phoenix Suns PG Khalid Reeves Miami Heat PF Clifford Rozier Golden State Warriors PF Donyell Marshall Minnesota Timberwolves PG Trevor Ruffin Phoenix Suns Head coach: Cotton Fitzsimmons

1996 game The 1996 Rookie Challenge took place on February 10 at the Alamodome in San Antonio.

+East Pos. Player Team PF Alan Henderson Atlanta Hawks SG Jerry Stackhouse Philadelphia 76ers PG Damon Stoudamire Toronto Raptors SG Bob Sura Cleveland Cavaliers PF Kurt Thomas Miami Heat PF Rasheed Wallace Washington Bullets SF Eric Williams Boston Celtics C George Zidek Charlotte Hornets Head coach: Bob Lanier

+West Pos. Player Team SG Brent Barry Los Angeles Clippers PG Tyus Edney Sacramento Kings SF Michael Finley Phoenix Suns PF Kevin Garnett Minnesota Timberwolves PF Antonio McDyess Denver Nuggets C Bryant Reeves Vancouver Grizzlies C Arvydas Sabonis Portland Trail Blazers PF Joe Smith Golden State Warriors Head coach: Doug Moe

1997 game The 1997 Rookie Challenge took place on February 8 at the Gund Arena in Cleveland.

+East Pos. Player Team SG Ray Allen Milwaukee Bucks C Marcus Camby Toronto Raptors C Erick Dampier Indiana Pacers PG Allen Iverson Philadelphia 76ers SG Kerry Kittles New Jersey Nets C Vitaly Potapenko Cleveland Cavaliers PF Antoine Walker Boston Celtics SF John Wallace New York Knicks Head coach: Red Auerbach

+West Pos. Player Team PF Shareef Abdur-Rahim Vancouver Grizzlies SG Kobe Bryant Los Angeles Lakers PG Derek Fisher Los Angeles Lakers C Travis Knight Los Angeles Lakers PG Matt Maloney Houston Rockets PG Stephon Marbury** Minnesota Timberwolves PG Steve Nash Phoenix Suns PF Roy Rogers Vancouver Grizzlies C Samaki Walker** Dallas Mavericks PF Lorenzen Wright Los Angeles Clippers Head coach: Red Holzman

* Did not play due to injury

1998 game The 1998 Rookie Challenge took place on February 8 at the Madison Square Garden in New York City.

+East Pos. Player Team PG Chauncey Billups Boston Celtics SG Derek Anderson* Cleveland Cavaliers PF Cedric Henderson Cleveland Cavaliers C Zydrunas Ilgauskas Cleveland Cavaliers PG Brevin Knight Cleveland Cavaliers SF Tracy McGrady Toronto Raptors SF Ron Mercer Boston Celtics SF Tim Thomas Philadelphia 76ers SF Keith Van Horn New Jersey Nets Head coach: Willis Reed

+West Pos. Player Team C Kelvin Cato Portland Trail Blazers PG Antonio Daniels Vancouver Grizzlies PF Danny Fortson Denver Nuggets PG Bobby Jackson Denver Nuggets SG Rodrick Rhodes Houston Rockets PF Michael Stewart Sacramento Kings PF Maurice Taylor Los Angeles Clippers PG Alvin Williams Portland Trail Blazers Head coach: Dave DeBusschere

* Did not play due to injury

2000 game The 1999 game was not held due to the 1998–99 NBA lockout. The 2000 Rookie Challenge took place on February 12 at the Oakland Arena in Oakland.

+Rookies Pos. Player Team PG Andre Miller Cleveland Cavaliers PF Elton Brand Chicago Bulls SF Lamar Odom Los Angeles Clippers PG Steve Francis Houston Rockets SF James Posey Denver Nuggets SF Adrian Griffin Boston Celtics C Todd MacCulloch Philadelphia 76ers SG Wally Szczerbiak Minnesota Timberwolves Head coach: Al Attles Assistant coach: Nate Thurmond

+Sophomores Pos. Player Team PF Dirk Nowitzki Dallas Mavericks SF Paul Pierce Boston Celtics C Raef LaFrentz Denver Nuggets SG Cuttino Mobley Houston Rockets PG Jason Williams Sacramento Kings PG Mike Bibby Vancouver Grizzlies SG Michael Dickerson Vancouver Grizzlies C Michael Olowokandi Los Angeles Clippers SF Antawn Jamison* Golden State Warriors Head coach: Bill Russell Assistant coach: K. C. Jones

* Did not play due to injury

2001 game The 2001 Rookie Challenge took place on February 10 at the Verizon Center in Washington, D.C.

+Rookies Pos. Player Team C Marc Jackson Golden State Warriors SG Morris Peterson Toronto Raptors PF Kenyon Martin New Jersey Nets PG Mateen Cleaves Detroit Pistons SG Quentin Richardson Los Angeles Clippers PG Khalid El-Amin Chicago Bulls SG Stephen Jackson New Jersey Nets PG Darius Miles Los Angeles Clippers SG Mike Miller Orlando Magic Head coach: Kevin Loughery Assistant coach: Jack Marin

+Sophomores Pos. Player Team PF Elton Brand Chicago Bulls SF Richard Hamilton Washington Wizards SF Lamar Odom Los Angeles Clippers PG Baron Davis Charlotte Hornets PG Steve Francis Houston Rockets PF Shawn Marion Phoenix Suns PG Andre Miller Cleveland Cavaliers SG Wally Szczerbiak Minnesota Timberwolves SG Jason Terry Atlanta Hawks Head coach: Elvin Hayes Assistant coach: Phil Chenier

2002 game The 2002 Rookie Challenge took place on February 9 at the First Union Center in Philadelphia.

+Rookies Pos. Player Team SG Jason Richardson Golden State Warriors PG Jamaal Tinsley Indiana Pacers PF Pau Gasol Memphis Grizzlies SF Shane Battier Memphis Grizzlies C Brendan Haywood Washington Wizards C Željko Rebrača Detroit Pistons PG Tony Parker San Antonio Spurs SG Joe Johnson Phoenix Suns C Andrei Kirilenko Utah Jazz Head coach: Chuck Daly Assistant coach: Darryl Dawkins

+Sophomores Pos. Player Team SG Quentin Richardson Los Angeles Clippers SG Mike Miller Orlando Magic PF Kenyon Martin New Jersey Nets PF Lee Nailon Charlotte Hornets C Chris Mihm Cleveland Cavaliers PF Marcus Fizer Chicago Bulls PG Darius Miles Los Angeles Clippers SG Desmond Mason Seattle SuperSonics SF Hedo Türkoğlu Sacramento Kings Head coach: Billy Cunningham Assistant coach: Bobby Jones

2003 game The 2003 Rookie Challenge took place on February 8 at the Philips Arena in Atlanta.

+Rookies Pos. Player Team PG Jay Williams Chicago Bulls SG Gordan Giricek Orlando Magic SF Caron Butler Miami Heat PF Drew Gooden Memphis Grizzlies PF Amar'e Stoudemire Phoenix Suns PF Carlos Boozer Cleveland Cavaliers C Nene Denver Nuggets SG Marko Jarić Los Angeles Clippers SG Dajuan Wagner Cleveland Cavaliers Head coach: Cotton Fitzsimmons Assistant coach: Lou Hudson