The 2016 BBVA Rising Stars Challenge in Toronto featured stats worthy of a video game, sparse defense and a surplus of jaw-dropping athleticism. Emerging from Friday’s whirlwind of alley-oops was the U.S. squad in a 157-154 victory over the World contingent.
There were predictably entertaining sequences like Zach LaVine’s acrobatics and Kristaps Porzingis’s perimeter scoring. But this game also produced some equally exciting surprises, such as Jahlil Okafor connecting from downtown and big men throwing lobs to guards.
We ranked every player involved in this game based on their overall talent and future potential. Then we dished out grades for their performances in this exhibition.
20. Bojan Bogdanovic (World), Brooklyn Nets SF: Bogey is a better player right now than some guys on this list. But the Croatian’s overall value slips because he’s 26 and is already at or near his NBA ceiling.
Other than a couple of triples and uncontested assists, he didn’t leave much of an imprint on this game. That’s not a huge surprise, however, because he’s not a highlight machine for the Nets anyway.
Rising Stars Game Grade: C
19. Raul Neto (World), Utah Jazz PG: Neto has brought defensive hustle and steady playmaking to the Jazz this season, but like Bogdanovic, his prospect punch is weaker because he’s 23 and doesn’t have upper-echelon potential.
While the Brazillian scored just two points Friday night, Neto spread the ball around en route to nine assists and only one turnover.
Rising Stars Game Grade: B
18. Dwight Powell (World), Dallas Mavericks PF: After riding the bench as a rookie, Powell has found a nice role in Dallas. His above-the-rim bounce and mid-range shooting have helped the Mavs’ frontcourt off the bench.
The Toronto-born forward enjoyed a productive homecoming on the Rising Stars stage. In 16 minutes of action, he posted a double-double (12 points, 11 rebounds) along with two assists and two steals:
Rising Stars Game Grade: A-
17. Clint Capela (World), Houston Rockets PF/C: Capela has enjoyed increased responsibilities in H-Town this season, and he’s clearly more comfortable with NBA sets and positioning. Unfortunately, he’s barely getting to the free throw line half as a frequently as last season (4.8 attempts per 36 minutes compared to 9.2 attempts last year).
He didn’t have a monster night Friday (12 points, seven rebounds), but he made some surprisingly nimble moves.
Rising Stars Game Grade: B-
16. Trey Lyles (World), Utah Jazz PF: The minutes and usage have been spotty for Lyles so far this season. As such, it’s tricky to pinpoint his long-term trajectory, although his 41 percent shooting from distance is more than encouraging.
The Saskatchewan native had a rather underwhelming Rising Stars outing. Lyles went 1-of-6 from the field and registered a -11 rating in 12 minutes.
Rising Stars Game Grade: D+
15. Nikola Jokic (World), Denver Nuggets C: Thanks to a unique blend of size and skill, Jokic has climbed into the upper tier of rookies in recent weeks. He’s served as a supplementary scorer, dependable rebounder and deft pivot passer for the Nuggets.
Jokic’s 12 points and four assists Friday didn’t blow me away, but we have to give him props for collecting all eight of his rebounds on the offensive end.
Rising Stars Game Grade: B+
14. Zach LaVine (USA), Minnesota Timberwolves G: Until LaVine learns to shoot more efficiently and play sound defense, I’ll have trouble placing him in the category of elite prospects.
However, the Rising Stars game is clearly right up his alley. He slashed and splashed his way to 30 points, seven rebounds, four assists and the coveted MVP trophy:
Rising Stars Game Grade: A
13. Rodney Hood (USA), Utah Jazz SG/SF: Hood’s star potential might not be amazing, but he’s an absolutely rock solid wing in this league. He can create mid-range buckets off the bounce, find high-percentage looks away from the ball and collaborate seamlessly with teammates.
At the Rising Stars event, Hood’s game was all about diving to the rim. He loped north-to-south on efficient leak-outs and coast-to-coast attacks, earning easy dunks in the process:
Rising Stars Game Grade: B
12. Elfrid Payton (USA), Orlando Magic PG: Sure, he hasn’t enjoyed a breakout sophomore season. But give Payton credit for improving his shooting considerably; his three-point percentage is up from 26 percent to 36 percent, and his free throw efficiency is up from 55 percent to 62 percent.
He played some defense and kept the ball moving during a couple of successful U.S. stretches Friday, but goose-eggs in the scoring and assists columns will limit his grade.
Rising Stars Game Grade: B-
11. Devin Booker (USA), Phoenix Suns SG: Few teenagers have entered the league with his command from the perimeter. Booker is shooting north of 40 percent from three-land as a rookie, and his game also includes athletic slashing and timely passing.
In 18 minutes of play, Booker dropped a cool 23 points on the World team via 9-of-13 shooting. Consider him warmed up for the three-point contest:
If @DevinBook was ever "under the radar," he isn't now.
— Matt Petersen (@TheMattPetersen) February 13, 2016
Rising Stars Game Grade: A-
10. Jabari Parker (USA), Milwaukee Bucks SF/PF: Even considering Parker’s ACL injury, the Duke product has been less-than-stellar in his first two years in the league. He’s 0-of-7 from three-point range for this entire season so far.
Parker didn’t have a standout Rising Stars game either, but his windmill dunk and ensuing block of Nikola Jokic were two of the best plays all night:
Rising Stars Game Grade: B+
9. Emmanuel Mudiay (World), Denver Nuggets PG: With a combination of electrifying playmaking skills and woefully inconsistent shooting, Mudiay’s rookie year has been a mixed bag. He’s clearly one of the best young quarterbacks in the league, but his perimeter inaccuracy is cause for concern.
The Congo-born prospect hit five triples during Friday’s bonanza, however, finishing with 30 points and 10 assists. The free-flowing style of the Rising Stars game and copious alley-oops favors players with Mudiay’s skill set. We’re obligated to dock his grade due to an uncontested airball late in the first half.
Rising Stars Game Grade: A-
8. Mario Hezonja (World), Orlando Magic SG/SF: Croatia’s sweet-shooting swingman has had an up-and-down rookie campaign for the Magic thanks to fluctuating playing time.
He offered a thrilling glimpse of his versatile potential in Toronto. Not only did he score in bunches (19 points), dish the rock (seven assists) and crash the boards (10 rebounds), he also exerted more effort defensively than almost any player in the game:
Dishing out ?!#BBVARisingStars Mario Hezonja pic.twitter.com/A7m8vDRgoE
— Orlando Magic (@OrlandoMagic) February 13, 2016
Rising Stars Game Grade: A
7. Marcus Smart (USA), Boston Celtics PG: Smart’s sophomore season has had a similar theme to his rookie campaign: shaky outside shooting, respectable scoring and facilitating, and elite defensive aggression.
After scoring the U.S.’s first bucket from long range, Smart was content to play a peripheral role in Friday’s contest. We didn’t see the assertiveness he normally shows with a Shamrocks jersey on. Let’s assume he’s saving the juice for a late-season playoff push.
Rising Stars Game Grade: C-
6. Jordan Clarkson (USA), Los Angeles Lakers PG/SG: Clarkson hasn’t made a huge leap in year two for L.A., but that’s largely due to Kobe Bryant’s return from injury and D’Angelo Russell’s arrival at point guard. It doesn’t change the fact that Clarkson has an exceptionally bright future in the league.
His shiftiness and scoring ability were on display in Toronto, although he hoisted a sizable share of bricks. On the plus side, Clarkson swiped four steals and made some beautiful thread-the-needle passes:
Jordan Clarkson highlights from the #BBVARisingStars game. JC racked up 25 points in the win! #NBAAllStarTOhttps://t.co/0QIsp05Mn3
— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) February 13, 2016
Rising Stars Game Grade: B
5. Jahlil Okafor (USA), Philadelphia 76ers C: Too much off-the-court drama and a miserable 76ers season has masked the fact that Okafor is one of the best low-post rookies the league has ever seen. His ceiling is lower than Kristaps Porzingis and Karl-Anthony Towns, but he still has All-Star potential.
Okafor didn’t dominate the Rising Stars exhibition by any stretch, but his confident three-point bucket gives him bonus points:
Jahlil Okafor shooting threes like he is auditioning for one of the perimeter spots in the all-center lineup for the Sixers next season.
— Danny Leroux (@DannyLeroux) February 13, 2016
Rising Stars Game Grade: B
4. D’Angelo Russell (USA), Los Angeles Lakers PG: It’s nearly impossible to gauge how productive Russell could be or should be this season. Sharing backcourt duties with Jordan Clarkson and living legend Kobe Bryant hasn’t made it easy, especially when Byron Scott has managed the situation inconsistently. We’re going to give him the benefit of the doubt based on his magnificent vision and polished skills.
There was no shortage of playmaking and scoring opportunities Friday, though. Russell sank smooth jumpers in transition and flipped passes all around the court to rack up 22 points and seven assists in just 16 minutes.
Rising Stars Game Grade: A-
3. Kristaps Porzingis (World), New York Knicks PF/C: You could make an argument that Porzingis should top this list. The Latvian prodigy is exceptionally fluid for a seven-footer, and he’s turned out to be a better rebounder and rim protector than we thought he’d be at this juncture.
He rained triples on the U.S. team during the second half Friday, finishing with five threes, 30 points and four assists. I may have enjoyed the “Godzingis Unicorn” fan even more:
Kristaps Porzingis unicorn? KRISTAPS PORZINGIS UNICORN!: https://t.co/AvtzgAfmWU pic.twitter.com/Zg5fzVIAmz
— FanSided (@FanSided) February 13, 2016
Rising Stars Game Grade: A-
2. Karl-Anthony Towns (USA), Minnesota Timberwolves PF/C: Towns has taken no prisoners during his pursuit of Rookie of the Year honors. He’s scoring inside and outside (17 points per game, 38 percent from three-range) while punishing foes as a rebounder (10 rebounds per game) and rim protector.
On Friday, he showcased some of that versatility with coast-to-coast forays, giving and receiving alley-oops and seven rebounds. However, it would’ve been nice to see at least one or two blocks:
Towns coast-to-coast + tough finish with the left! 140-133 USA leads World with 4:58 to play on TNT! #NBARapidReplay https://t.co/m7NLJtThEh
— NBA (@NBA) February 13, 2016
Rising Stars Game Grade: B
1. Andrew Wiggins (World), Minnesota Timberwolves G/F: Although he hasn’t yet reached the sky-high expectations most set for him, Canada’s star remains the most gifted and exciting young prospect in the game. He’s doing a better job of attacking the rim this year, and he’ll be a megastar once his jumper becomes more efficient.
Speaking of efficiency, he went 13-of-15 for 29 points Friday by slashing ferociously. It wasn’t enough to earn back-to-back Rising Stars MVPs, but it certainly merits a glowing grade.
Rising Stars Game Grade: A