Top rookies Chet Holmgren (left) and Victor Wembanyama will square off in the 2024 Panini Rising Stars.
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Periodically, NBA.com’s writers will weigh in on key storylines or trending topics around the league.
The league’s talented young stars will face off Friday night (9 ET, TNT) in a mini-tournament after being split into four different teams — Team Pau, Team Tamika, Team Jalen and Team Detlef. Who wins?
Steve Aschburner
Team Pau. Given my role as curator of the weekly Kia Rookie Ladder rankings, I’m swayed here by Pau Gasol going all-in on first-year players. There’s also his 1-0 record and chance to repeat after last year’s Rising Stars triumph. And of course it does not hurt that he had the No. 1 pick in the squad draft and wisely snatched Victor Wembanyama.
Brian Martin
Team Pau. In the semifinals, Team Pau’s roster is loaded with too much talent for Team Detlef’s G League squad to overcome, while Team Jalen could get a boost if Team Tamika has to limit Paolo Banchero for Sunday’s All-Star Game. In the Final, I like Team Pau’s rookie core. He has four of the top five players in the latest Rookie Ladder, led by Victor Wembanyama, who can unleash his latest mind-blowing feat on the All-Star stage.
Shaun Powell
Team Pau. My heart goes to Team Tamika because Tamika Catchings starred for so many years here with the Indiana Fever. But Team Pau gets the edge because Pau Gasol coached his team to victory last year so he’s bringing the goods (and he should consider a coaching career someday). But the biggest reason is Victor Wembanyama. The French rookie will demonstrate once again that foreign-born players are running this league.
John Schuhmann
Team Tamika. I’ll go with the bucket-getters in this game, and Team Tamika has the best combination of guys who can score off the dribble (Paolo Banchero, Jaden Ivey and Keyonte George) and guys who can shoot from deep (Keegan Murray and Vince Williams Jr.).
Michael C. Wright
Team Pau. It’s simple. Pick the team featuring Spurs rookie phenom Victor Wembanyama. The 20-year-old has already demonstrated a monstrous impact in NBA games against seasoned vets. He’ll pose a significant problem for less experienced opponents who will be in awe of the big man’s capabilities. Throw in the fact that Wembanyama will join former Metropolitans 92 teammate Bilal Coulibaly on Team Pau. Best believe those reunited Frenchmen will be looking to put on a show.
