Zion, LaMelo headline NBA Rising Stars rosters unveiled on Top Shot
The NBA revealed the rosters for the 2021 Rising Stars game on digital basketball highlights hub and marketplace Top Shot on Tuesday.
The All-Star Weekend event featuring the league's best rookie and second-year players won't be held this year due to the scaled-down nature of festivities in Atlanta, but that didn't stop the NBA from unveiling rosters.
U.S. Team
First-time All-Star Zion Williamson and rookie sensation LaMelo Ball highlight a stacked U.S. roster that also features 2020 first overall selection Anthony Edwards and Kings first-year stud Tyrese Haliburton.
| Player | Team | Years Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Zion Williamson | Pelicans | 2 |
| Ja Morant | Grizzlies | 2 |
| LaMelo Ball | Hornets | 1 |
| Anthony Edwards | Timberwolves | 1 |
| Tyrese Haliburton | Kings | 1 |
| Tyler Herro | Heat | 2 |
| De'Andre Hunter | Hawks | 2 |
| Keldon Johnson | Spurs | 2 |
| Michael Porter Jr. | Nuggets | 2 |
| James Wiseman | Warriors | 1 |
World Team
The World Team lacks star power compared to the Americans. Canadians lead the squad, with Nickeil Alexander-Walker, RJ Barrett, Brandon Clarke, Luguentz Dort, and Mychal Mulder making up half the roster.
| Player | Team | Years Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Precious Achiuwa | Heat | 1 |
| Deni Avdija | Wizards | 1 |
| Nickeil Alexander-Walker | Pelicans | 2 |
| RJ Barrett | Knicks | 2 |
| Facundo Campazzo | Nuggets | 1 |
| Brandon Clarke | Grizzlies | 2 |
| Luguentz Dort | Thunder | 2 |
| Rui Hachimura | Wizards | 2 |
| Theo Maledon | Thunder | 1 |
| Mychal Mulder | Warriors | 2 |
NBA Top Shot is an online collection of in-game digital highlights that blockchain company Dapper Labs founded in association with the league. Fans can purchase highlights known as "moments" either through random packs or in Top Shot's marketplace from other investors.
Moments are valued based on predetermined scarcity, with fans lining up digitally in hopes of obtaining a pack. As of March 3, 90,252 investors have spent nearly $288 million on digital highlights through NBA Top Shot, according to crypto tracker Cryptoslam.