Jan. 28, 2015
ORLANDO – Orlando Magic guards Victor Oladipo and Elfrid Payton have been selected to participate in the BBVA Compass Rising Stars Challenge as part of 2015 NBA All-Star Weekend in New York City.
Oladipo, the 2013-14 Kia NBA Rookie of the Year runner-up, has increased his scoring average from 13.8 points in his first season to 16.5 points in his second season and improved his field goal percentage from 41.9 to 45.9. He has scored in double figures 35 times, had 20+ points 11 times and had 30+ points twice, including a season-high 33 points on Jan. 12 at Chicago.
Payton, the 10th selection in the 2014 NBA Draft, leads all rookies and ranks 18th in the NBA in assists (5.8 apg.) and ranks in the top-10 in rookie rankings in scoring, rebounding, FG percentage, steals and minutes played. He also became only the third player in NBA history to record seven-or-more assists in his first four career games (Oscar Robertson, John Wall). Payton has led (or tied) the team in scoring once, in rebounding twice and in assists a team-high 35 times.
The league’s annual showcase of premier young talent will debut a format that pits 10 first and second-year NBA players from the United States against 10 first and second-year NBA players from around the world. The game, set for Friday, Feb. 13, at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, will be televised live by TNT at 9 p.m. ET, part of Turner Sports’ 30th year of All-Star coverage.
This year’s edition showcases 10 of the top 15 picks from the 2013 NBA Draft presented by State Farm, and all four participants in the 2015 Slam Dunk contest, which will be held during State Farm All-Star Saturday Night at Barclays Center.
Below are the rosters for the BBVA Compass Rising Stars Challenge and a list of previous results:
U.S. Team Roster
Trey Burke (Jazz)
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (Pistons)
Michael Carter-Williams (76ers)
Zach LaVine (Timberwolves)
Shabazz Muhammad (Timberwolves)
Nerlens Noel (76ers)
Victor Oladipo (Magic)
Elfrid Payton (Magic)
Mason Plumlee (Nets)
Cody Zeller (Hornets)
Head Coach: Alvin Gentry (Warriors)
World Team Roster
Steven Adams (Thunder)
Giannis Antetokounmpo (Bucks)
Bojan Bogdanovic (Nets)
Gorgui Dieng (Timberwolves)
Dante Exum (Jazz)
Rudy Gobert (Jazz)
Nikola Mirotic (Bulls)
Kelly Olynyk (Celtics)
Dennis Schroder (Hawks)
Andrew Wiggins (Timberwolves)
Head Coach: Kenny Atkinson, Hawks
BBVA Compass Rising Stars Challenge Results
1994 - Phenoms 74, Sensations 68
1995 - White 83, Green 79 (OT)
1996 - East 94, West 92
1997 - East 96, West 91
1998 - East 85, West 80
2000 - Rookies 92, Sophomores 83 (OT)
2001 - Sophomores 121, Rookies 113
2002 - Rookies 103, Sophomores 97
2003 - Sophomores 132, Rookies 112
2004 - Sophomores 142, Rookies 118
2005 - Sophomores 133, Rookies 106
2006 - Sophomores 106, Rookies 96
2007 - Sophomores 155, Rookies 114
2008 - Sophomores 136, Rookies 109
2009 - Sophomores 122, Rookies 116
2010 - Rookies 140, Sophomores 128
2011 - Rookies 148, Sophomores 140
2012 - Team Chuck 146, Team Shaq 133
2012 - Team Chuck 146, Team Shaq 133
2013 - Team Chuck 163, Team Shaq 135
2014 - Team Hill 142, Team Webber 136