By ,
Published May 02, 2016
New York, NY (SportsNetwork.com) - Reigning NBA Rookie the Year Michael Carter-Williams and Andrew Wiggins, the current favorite to win the award this season, highlight the selections for the 2015 Rising Stars Challenge.
In a new format, 20 players will take part in the game as members of either the U.S. Team or World Team. The contest will be played on Feb. 13 at Brooklyn's Barclays Center, two days before the NBA All-Star Game.
Carter-Williams, the face of the rebuilding Philadelphia 76ers, is averaging 15.3 points, 7.1 assists and 6.0 rebounds per game. Wiggins, picked first overall in the 2014 draft, has improved his game after a slow start. In 14 January games, the Minnesota Timberwolves forward is averaging 19.7 points on 46.6 percent shooting.
Joining Carter-Williams on the U.S. squad are 76ers teammate Nerlens Noel, Orlando's Victor Oladipo and Elfrid Payton, Timberwolves teammates Zach LaVine and Shabazz Muhammad, Utah's Trey Burke, Detroit's Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Brooklyn's Mason Plumlee and Charlotte's Cody Zeller.
Noel leads all rookies in rebounds, steals and blocks per game, while Oladipo is the sophomore class' leading scorer.
Wiggins will be joined on the World squad by Minnesota teammate Gorgui Dieng, Jazz teammates Dante Exum and Rudy Gobert, Oklahoma City's Steven Adams, Milwaukee's Giannis Antetokounmpo, Brooklyn's Bojan Bogdanovic, Chicago's Nikola Mirotic, Boston's Kelly Olynyk and Atlanta's Dennis Schroder.
The U.S. team will be coached by Golden State assistant Alvin Gentry, while Atlanta assistant Kenny Atkinson is in charge of the World squad.
Timberwolves forward Anthony Bennett, chosen with the first pick in the 2013 draft, was not invited to the game in either season he was eligible.
https://www.foxnews.com/sports/wiggins-carter-williams-highlight-rising-stars-rosters