Mandatory Credit: Jesse Johnson-USA TODAY Sports

18 players have been officially announced as the participants for this year’s BBVA Rising Stars Challenge, which will take place on Friday, February 15th in Houston as part of NBA All-Star weekend.

NBA on TNT analysts Charles Barkley and Shaquille O’Neal will select from a pool of rookies and sophomores that include such standouts as Kyrie Irving, Damian Lillard, Anthony Davis, Kenneth Faried, Kemba Walker and Andre Drummond.

For a look at the full pool of players, click here.

For the most part, the assistant coaches (they selected the eligible players) got it right, but as any list would have, there are some big surprises and glaring omissions.

SOPHOMORES: Ricky Rubio (Minnesota Timberwolves)

From an entertainment standpoint, it’s unfortunate to hear that Rubio won’t be participating in this year’s event, but I think it’s fairly obvious as to why he wasn’t selected.

Ricky has missed most of the season rehabbing a torn ACL he suffered back in March of last year. He’s only played in 17 games for Minnesota thus far while averaging 5.1 points and 5.2 assists a game.

In fact, during last year’s draft between Charles and Shaq, Rubio was taken with O’Neal’s third pick and fifth overall.

Rubio is a superstar in the making, but his injuries and lack of playing time will keep him out of the Rising Stars Challenge in 2013, which is a shame.

Mandatory Credit: Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports

ROOKIES: Terrence Ross (Toronto Raptors)

I’ll be more accepting of this snub if he eventually finds his way into the 2013 NBA Slam Dunk contest.

This game won’t exactly be a defensive showcase, so why not show off one of the game’s fresh, new dunkers in Terrence Ross, and give the fans a show to remember?

His breathtaking athleticism and highlight-reel james will surely be missed.

Jan 11, 2013; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Celtics power forward Jared Sullinger (7) drives against Houston Rockets power forward Patrick Patterson (54) during the first half at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Mark L. Baer-USA TODAY Sports

ROOKIES: Jared Sullinger (Boston Celtics)

Sullinger is about as fundamental a power forward can be as far as his style of play goes. He plays extremely physical in the paint and goes back to the basket for a majority of his scores.

In an up-tempo, fast-paced game such as this, Jared would more than likely find few opportunities to show the world what he can do with a basketball.

His numbers are respectable for his minutes (19.8 minutes, 6.0 points, 5.9 rebounds), but he doesn’t stand out (despite playing in a large market) like a majority of his fellow rookies do.

Despite all of that, I would have liked to see him make the cut, especially over a fellow big man who cracked the list, who I shall mention below.

Jan 25, 2013; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers point guard Kyrie Irving (left), guard Wayne Ellington (21), power forward Tristan Thompson (second from right) and shooting guard Dion Waiters celebrate in the fourth quarter against the Milwaukee Bucks at Quicken Loans Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports

SURPRISES: Four Cleveland Cavaliers?

Sophomores Kyrie Irving and Tristan Thompson and fellow rookie teammates Tyler Zeller and Dion Waiters will all represent the Cleveland Cavaliers organization at the Rookie Challenge in February.

It’s overkill.

The Cavaliers have struggled in recent years to find wins, so that’s led to some higher draft picks and some of the more talented rookies available.

Even so, I could do without four players from one team, especially in a game where the rosters are so small to begin with.

I can make a strong case for Irving (reigning Rookie of the Year and the 2012 Rising Stars Challenge MVP), Thompson (11.0 points, 9.3 rebounds) and Waiters (14.5 points, second amongst rookies), but the selection of Zeller is rather questionable (8.3 points, 6.2 rebounds).

Tyler isn’t having an awful year, but considering the amount of Cavaliers involved, in a perfect world, one would be removed. Zeller should be that individual, in my opinion.

Chris Walder is the Editor here at Sir Charles in Charge. You may follow him on Twitter at @WalderSports

Mandatory Credit: Jesse Johnson-US PRESSWIRE

After starting the season 5-2, the Minnesota Timberwolves have lost their last five games and now find themselves third from the bottom in the Western Conference at 5-7.

Every game matters in the West. Only two and a half wins separate the fourth (Los Angeles Clippers) and thirteenth (Minnesota) seeds.

Even with the early return of Kevin Love (broke his hand back in October, was expected to miss upwards of eight weeks), the Wolves have struggled to find the same magic that made them one of the leagues big surprises during the first two to three weeks of the season.

Well Wolves fans, never fear, as it appears starting point guard Ricky Rubio may in fact be making a earlier than expected return to the team as well.

Rubio tore his ACL back in March during the final moments of a game against the Los Angeles Lakers. He’s been out of action ever since.

Timberwolves beat writer Jerry Zgoda, who writes for the Star-Tribune, suggests that the date for Rubio’s potential return (which was originally around Christmas) has in fact been moved up a bit.

David Kahn said he still isn’t putting a timetable on Rubio’s return, as he hasn’t done all along.

But there’s no question Rubio’s return is getting closer, maybe closer than expected, particularly if you weren’t expecting him back until Christmas or later.

He’s been working out quite vigorously on his own before games — just saw him working up a sweat shooting and doing other drills — and it’s certainly possible he could be back in a game perhaps even sometime that first week of December, or shortly thereafter..

In fact, a doctors visit later this week could clear Ricky for practice as early as this Thursday.

Lord knows Minnesota could use their starting point guard back sooner rather than later.

With all due respect to Luke Ridnour and J.J Barea (who have both proven to be worthy backups in his absence), Rubio presents the long-term future of the Wolves organization. They need him back on the court to improve upon what was quite the remarkable rookie season.

In 2011-12. Ricky averaged 10.6 points and 8.2 assists a game. Despite shooting just 35% from the field, Rubio always made a huge impact whenever he was on the court, whether it be with his highlight-reel passes or stellar perimeter defense.

“When (Rubio) was healthy last year, he was very good keeping the people in front of him,” Rick Adelman said via The Star-Tribune. “He was able to control the guard he was guarding and not let him get around him. He was in the Top 5 in steals. He was always in the right spot defensively as a team defender, too. He’ll help us. He’s give us a little more size there. His instincts will help us a lot.”

The team has yet to confirm any reports on Rubio’s health and his potential return, but for Timberwolves fans around the nation, it can’t come soon enough.

Christopher Walder is a sports blogger and lead editor for Sir Charles in Charge. You may follow him on Twitter @WalderSports