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NBA: Team USA Shocks Team World in Rising Stars Challenge

By Gabriel Gonzalez

Feb 12, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; U.S player Zach LaVine (8) speaks to the media after being announced the most valuable player after the Rising Stars Challenge basketball game against the World team at Air Canada Centre. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 12, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; U.S player Zach LaVine (8) speaks to the media after being announced the most valuable player after the Rising Stars Challenge basketball game against the World team at Air Canada Centre. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports /
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Team USA prevailed over Team World as Zach LaVine took home the NBA’s BBVA Rising Stars Challenge MVP

Despite the attention on the break-through international talent, it was Team USA that emerged victorious in the Rising Stars Challenge on Friday night.

The high scoring affair saw the young talent of the NBA in full force with several players from both squads were above the 20-point mark.

All together, there were 227 shots taken from the field. But the stars of the game were those willing to get airborne during the contest.

The triple-threat of Kristaps Porzingis, Andrew Wiggins, and Emmanuel Mudiay combined for 89 points together for Team World.

Wiggins gave another trademark performance, providing 29 points.

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Porzingis was one of the most popular players of the evening. He continued to launch his own star into the stratosphere with 30 points. Much was made of how he joined the Knicks to many boos on draft night, but has proven to be the diamond in the rough that no one expected.

The fact that he is one of the best rookies to enter the league was also used to illustrate the reach of the NBA as the Latvian player appears poised to become the new face of the one of the biggest franchises in the league.

Reigning MVP Wiggins was in unfamiliar territory as his Timberwolves teammates Karl-Anthony Towns and Zach LaVine were now his opposition.

Towns had 18 points while Lavine had 30 points to lead Team USA. Both of them were unafraid to finish at the rim, producing several highlight reel dunks throughout the night.

LaVine in particular showcased a more balanced game, relying not only on his athleticism.

That is not to say that the sophomore didn’t give fans a preview of what they’ll see in Saturday night’s NBA Slam Dunk Contest. LaVine took flight several times through the game and ignited the crowd with several dunks that helped to put the American team ahead.

LaVine had a glimpse of his competition in Devin Booker as the Nuggets rookie had 23 points in the contest.

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The Lakers were also featured at All-Star weekend for the first time in several years. Jordan Clarkson and D’Angelo Russell had big performances for Team USA as they had 25 and 22 points respectively. Their performance is a bright spot for the franchise will soon be the future as Kobe Bryant‘s retirement creeps closer on the purple and gold.

Ultimately though, it was LaVine who walked away with the MVP. The award adds to his growing resume as he is also the reigning Slam Dunk Contest champion. LaVine is one of the biggest names who’s going to compete on Saturday as he will be defending his title in the final event of the evening.

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