Replacing the Rookie/Sophomore Challenge, the first annual BBVA Rising Stars Challenge will take place at the 2012 NBA All-Star Weekend this year. TNT analysts Shaquille O’Neal and Charles Barkley selected the teams from a pool of nine rookies and nine sophomores made available by the NBA.
2012 Rising Stars Challenge: Shaq, Charles Barkley Choose Teams
ROOKIES: Kyrie Irving, Derrick Williams, Tristan Thompson, Brandon Knight, Kawhi Leonard, Kemba Walker, Ricky Rubio, Markieff Morris, MarShon Brooks.
SOPHOMORES: Blake Griffin, John Wall, DeMarcus Cousins, Evan Turner, Paul George, Greg Monroe, Tiago Splitter, Landry Fields, Gordon Hayward.
As a no-brainer twist, "commissioner" Kenny Smith added New York Knicks wunderkind Jeremy Lin to the pool at the last minute. He also added Miami Heat rookie Norris Cole to keep things even.
The 2012 Rising Stars Challenge will be played on Friday, Feb. 24, 2012, in Orlando as part of All-Star Weekend.
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