Towns, Porzingis, Wiggins headline Rising Stars Challenge rosters
The NBA has announced the rosters for the annual Rising Stars Challenge set for All-Star Weekend.
Minnesota Timberwolves rookies Karl-Anthony Towns and Andrew Wiggins, along with first-year New York Knicks forward Kristaps Porzingis, headline the rosters for the U.S. Team and World Team, respectively.
Team World defeated Team USA in last year's competition. Wiggins earned MVP honors in that contest, pouring in 22 points.
Chicago Bulls power forward Nikola Mirotic won't play in the game, however, as he underwent an appendectomy Wednesday and will be out until after the All-Star break. Discussion immediately began regarding his possible replacement:
Just announced: Nikola Mirotic is out until after the A-S break after bout of appendicitis. SO THE DOOR IS NOT SHUT ON BOBAN IN RISING STARS
— Jeff McDonald (@JMcDonald_SAEN) January 27, 2016
The NBA debuted the "USA versus the World" format for the Rising Stars Challenge last season, evolving the game's format from the previous two years, where former NBA superstars drafted the top rookies and sophomores.