Initially starting in 1994, the Rising Stars Challenge has been a major attraction of All-Star Weekend every year. The Rising Stars Challenge has mostly been a game where the rookies of that year take on the second-year players (or sophomores). This is always a great opportunity for fans to take a look at some of the NBA's brightest young stars in action. In 2022, the NBA changed the format of the Rising Stars Challenge to a tournament style that now also includes G League players.
This year, there are no Pacers who will be represented during the event. However, this does not mean they are unfamiliar with the game as they have had their fair share of representatives over the years. They have had their fair share of representatives in the past, including more than a handful of players who later developed into All-Stars and beyond.
With the All-Star break officially here for the Pacers, now is a good time to reflect and take a look at all their players who earned the honor of participating in the game.
Here are the 16 times a Pacers player took part in the Rising Stars Challenge.
Every Pacer to compete in the Rising Stars Challenge
Season | Player |
|---|---|
2023-24 | Bennedict Mathurin (MVP) |
2023-24 | Oscar Tshiebwe |
2022-23 | Bennedict Mathurin |
2022-23 | Andrew Nembhard |
2021-22 | Chris Duarte |
2021-22 | Tyrese Haliburton |
2017-18 | Domantas Sabonis |
2016-17 | Myles Turner |
2011-12 | Paul George |
2006-07 | Danny Granger |
2005-06 | Danny Granger |
2005-06 | Sarunas Jasikevicius |
2002-03 | Jamaal Tinsley |
2001-02 | Jamaal Tinsley |
1996-97 | Erick Dampier |
1993-94 | Antonio Davis |
There are some notable alumni on this list, such as Danny Granger, Paul George, and Domantas Sabonis. The list is also consisted of current Pacers, like Tyrese Haliburton, Myles Turner, Andrew Nembhard, and Bennedict Mathurin. Of all these players to compete in the game, Mathurin is the only one who took home the MVP award, which he did last year in Indianapolis.
Another interesting trend is that, in each of the last three seasons, the Pacers had multiple players compete in the Rising Stars Challenge. Before 2022, this only happened once when Granger and Sarunas Jasikevicius both took part in the game in 2006.
Given the current state of this Pacers roster, there are just a few players who realistically could be selected to compete in the game in the near future. The most likely candidates are Enrique Freeman and Johnny Furphy as the two rookies possess a lot of potential and could be contributors in the near future.
This year's Rising Stars Challenge will take place on Friday, February 14 at 9 PM EST as one of the first events during All-Star Weekend this year. While there are no Pacers who will be in the game, there are still plenty of intriguing names to keep an eye on. This includes Amen Thompson, Zaccahrie Risacher, and Stephon Castle.