The Rising Stars Challenge kicks off the NBA’s All-Star Weekend with a Friday night tip-off, featuring some of the NBA’s best young talent. The game features 20 selected players, each in either their first or second season in the NBA.

From the pool of 20 players, Shaquille O’Neal and Charles Barkley, picked their teams to play for either “Team Shaq” or “Team Chuck” (the rosters and the order of picks are included below).

This is a fascinating game for NBA fans because it showcases the future of the league before the NBA’s present stars take center stage on Sunday night. It’s also interesting because these players are in various stages of their developments.

There is a mix of players that have already established themselves and those who are still trying to figure out where they fit in. These rankings are based on the where the players currently are in their in their NBA careers. Potential and value is also factored into the decision.

Team Shaq

Damian Lillard (1)

Kyrie Irving (3)

Klay Thompson (7)

Harrison Barnes (9)

Chandler Parsons (11)

Dion Waiters (13)

Michael Kidd-Gilchrist (15)

Tyler Zeller

Kemba Walker

– Andre Drummond was selected fifth, but will miss the game with a back injury. Andrew Nicholson was selected to replace him.

 

Team Chuck

Anthony Davis (2)

Kenneth Faried (4)

Kawhi Leonard (6)

Bradley Beal (8)

Ricky Rubio (10)

Tristan Thompson (12)

Nikola Vucevic (14)

Brandon Knight (16)

Isaiah Thomas

Alexey Shved