NBA legends Pau Gasol, Tamika Catchings, and Jalen Rose have made their selections for the 2024 Panini Rising Stars game, set to take place during All-Star weekend. As one of the four ex-player coaches for the event, Gasol is being hailed for his impressive drafting skills, having loaded up his team with top-ranked rookies from the Kia Rookie Ladder. Gasol’s squad includes Victor Wembanyama, Brandon Miller, Jaime Jaquez Jr., Brandin Podziemski, Cason Wallace, and Bilal Coulibaly.
In contrast, Jalen Rose chose Chet Holmgren, Dereck Lively II, and Jordan Hawkins, while Tamika Catchings opted for Keyonte George and Scoot Henderson. Notably, two members of the Class of 2023 who aren’t ranked on the Ladder, Cason Wallace and Bilal Coulibaly, were also selected by Gasol. This makes a total of six rookies on Gasol’s roster, showcasing his keen eye for emerging talent.
The Rising Stars game is set to include players like Wembanyama and Holmgren, providing fans with the opportunity to witness the clash of these young bigs in what promises to be an exciting event. With both players having already met twice this season, their upcoming matchups on February 29 and April 10 are highly anticipated.
In terms of rookie rankings, Wembanyama continues to hold the top spot with impressive stats, followed closely by Holmgren and Miller. Podziemski has been recognized for his remarkable performance, becoming the first rookie to achieve three consecutive double-doubles with zero turnovers since 1967-68. Other promising rookies like Whitmore, George, Henderson, and Hawkins are also making their mark in the league.
Overall, the 2024 Panini Rising Stars game is shaping up to be an electrifying event, showcasing the immense talent and potential of the NBA’s rising stars. Fans can expect the competition to be fierce as these young players vie for recognition and make their mark on the league.