Friday evening tips off festivities for NBA All-Star Weekend 2019. Aside from the annual celebrity game, the highlight of the night is the Mtn Dew Rising Stars Challenge, which will feature the Memphis Grizzlies’ Jaren Jackson Jr.
The Rising Stars Challenge will feature the NBA’s top freshmen and sophomores. The trend has transitioned from showcasing rookies versus the sophomores to becoming a contest of the USA against the World. This emphasizes how strong the sport’s competition is globally. It also highlights the impressive global reach of the NBA.
Friday’s game features top second-year stars including Ben Simmons (insert Rookie of the Year joke here), Donovan Mitchell, and Jayson Tatum.