NBA Rising Stars Game 2025: Amen Thompson, Castle Highlight Rosters After Draft
February 4, 2025
The rosters for this year's NBA Rising Stars Challenge are set.
The coaches for the event, which will take place on Feb. 14 in San Francisco, are Tim Hardaway Sr., Chris Mullin and Mitch Richmond. Jeremy Lin will be the coach for the G League team.
The honorary coaches selected their teams on Tuesday.
NBA Communications @NBAPRChris Mullin, Mitch Richmond and Tim Hardaway Sr. drafted their teams today for the 2025 Castrol Rising Stars.<br><br>Each NBA legend selected seven players from the pool of 21 NBA rookies and sophomores. Jeremy Lin will lead the team of seven players representing the NBA G League. <a href="https://t.co/wImro9Aeie">pic.twitter.com/wImro9Aeie</a>
The name to watch on Team Chris is Stephon Castle. The San Antonio Spurs guard is having a tremendous year, putting up 12.2 points per game. The UConn product is currently No. 1 on the NBA's rookie ladder.
Team Chris features another one of the best rookies in the league in Zach Edey. The Memphis Grizzlies big man is holding his own on one of the best teams in the West, averaging 9.8 points, 7.6 boards and 1.2 blocks per game.
Edey's Grizzlies teammate, Jaylen Wells, will join him on Team Chris. Wells, a second-round pick, has turned heads this year as he's put up 11.4 points per game and established himself as a starter for much of the season.
Taking a look at Team Mitch, Amen Thompson is the name that stands out. The former No. 4 overall pick has taken a leap in Year 2, averaging 13.9 points, 8.2 rebounds, 1.4 steals and 1.2 blocks per game for the Houston Rockets while making a strong case for Sixth Man of the Year.
Thompson's brother, Detroit Pistons forward Ausar Thompson, will join him on Team Mitch.
Team Tim landed the No. 1 and No. 2 picks in the 2024 draft, taking Zaccharie Risacher and Alex Sarr. Risacher is finding his footing with the Atlanta Hawks, putting up 11.3 points per game this year. Sarr has had similar numbers for the Washington Wizards, posting 11.5 points and 6.6 boards per game.
On Team Jeremy, there's one player that fans have gotten the chance to watch multiple times over the past two years. That player is Mac McClung, an Orlando Magic G Leaguer who has won the NBA Dunk Contest in each of the last two seasons.
Along with playing in the Rising Stars Game, McClung will once again compete in the Dunk Contest and look to make it three in a row.