2025 NBA RISING STARS CHAMPIONSHIP
TEAM C 25 - TEAM G LEAGUE 14
Semifinals: Team C 40, Team T 34 | Team G League 40, Team M 39
MVP: Stephon Castle - San Antonio Spurs
2025 NBA Rising Stars Challenge Recap
The 2025 NBA Rising Stars Challenge was held on February 14, 2025, at Chase Center in San Francisco, California. The event featured a four-team tournament for the fourth consecutive year, bringing together some of the NBA's most promising rookies and second-year players alongside seven representatives from the NBA G League.
Team C, coached by former Golden State Warriors star Chris Mullin, won the championship by defeating Team G League 25-14. San Antonio Spurs rookie Stephon Castle was named Most Valuable Player after leading the champions with 12 points in the final. Castle's performance capped a tournament in which Team C defeated Team T in the opening semifinal before winning the championship.
The 2025 tournament introduced an important change to NBA All-Star Weekend. For the first time, the Rising Stars champion earned a place in the NBA All-Star Game itself. Team C advanced to Sunday's All-Star tournament under the name Team Candace, with WNBA legend Candace Parker serving as honorary general manager.
In the opening semifinal, Team C defeated Team T 40-34. Utah Jazz guard Keyonte George led the winners with 10 points, while Los Angeles Lakers rookie Dalton Knecht added seven. Castle and Golden State Warriors forward Trayce Jackson-Davis scored six points apiece.
Team T, coached by Tim Hardaway Sr., received a game-high 12 points from Toronto Raptors guard Gradey Dick. Although Team T reduced its deficit to four points late in the contest, Castle ended the game with a step-back jumper from the right elbow. Team C advanced after shooting better than 60 percent from the field.
The second semifinal was the closest game of the evening. Team G League defeated Team M 40-39 when Bryce McGowens made a three-pointer with his team trailing 39-37. The winning shot completed a dramatic comeback and sent the G League representatives into the championship.
Leonard Miller led Team G League with 14 points and seven rebounds, shooting seven-for-nine from the field. McGowens scored 12 points, while Mac McClung and JD Davison contributed five apiece. Team G League scored all 40 of its points from field goals, finishing without a free-throw attempt.
Team M, coached by Mitch Richmond, received 10 points from Houston Rockets guard Amen Thompson and eight from Portland Trail Blazers forward Toumani Camara. Team M shot 61.5 percent from the field but struggled at the free-throw line, making only four of nine attempts. Those missed opportunities proved costly in a one-point defeat.
The championship featured a strong performance from Castle. The San Antonio rookie scored 12 of Team C's 25 points, making five of eight field-goal attempts and both free throws. His combination of drives, finishes and playmaking helped Team C establish control against the G League representatives.
Team C defeated Team G League 25-14, becoming the first Rising Stars champion to qualify directly for the new NBA All-Star Game tournament. The victory was especially meaningful in San Francisco because Team C was coached by Chris Mullin, one of the most recognizable players in Golden State Warriors history.
The tournament highlighted a strong group of young players, including Castle, Zach Edey, Dalton Knecht, Jaylen Wells, Zaccharie Risacher, Alex Sarr, Amen Thompson, Ausar Thompson, Bilal Coulibaly and Keyonte George.
On February 16, Team C returned to the court as Team Candace in the NBA All-Star Game tournament. The Rising Stars champions faced Team Shaq, a veteran group featuring Stephen Curry, Kevin Durant, Jayson Tatum and other established stars. Team Shaq won the semifinal 42-35, ending the Rising Stars champions' historic All-Star appearance.
2025 NBA Rising Stars Game Information
Date: February 14, 2025
Arena: Chase Center
Location: San Francisco, California
Format: Four-team, three-game tournament
Semifinal Target Score: 40 points
Championship Target Score: 25 points
Champion: Team C (Team Chris)
Runner-Up: Team G League
Championship Score: Team C 25, Team G League 14
Most Valuable Player: Stephon Castle, San Antonio Spurs
Team C Coach: Chris Mullin
Team T Coach: Tim Hardaway Sr.
Team M Coach: Mitch Richmond
Team G League Coach: Jeremy Lin
Participants: 28
Special Achievement: Team C advanced to the 2025 NBA All-Star Game tournament
2025 NBA Rising Stars Tournament Results
| Round | Winner | Score | Loser | Score | Deciding Moment |
|---|
| Semifinal 1 | Team C | 40 | Team T | 34 | Stephon Castle winning jumper |
| Semifinal 2 | Team G League | 40 | Team M | 39 | Bryce McGowens winning three-pointer |
| Championship | Team C | 25 | Team G League | 14 | Stephon Castle scores 12 points |
Semifinal 1 - Team C 40, Team T 34
Team C shot 17-for-27 from the field and defeated Team T 40-34. Keyonte George scored 10 points, and Stephon Castle made the winning jumper.
Team C Box Score - Semifinal 1
| Player | FG | 3PT | FT | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TO | PTS |
|---|
| Stephon Castle | 3-6 | 0-2 | 0-0 | 4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 6 |
| Keyonte George | 3-5 | 2-4 | 2-2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 10 |
| Zach Edey | 2-3 | 0-0 | 0-0 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 |
| Dalton Knecht | 3-5 | 1-2 | 0-0 | 4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 7 |
| Jaylen Wells | 2-3 | 1-2 | 0-0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 |
| Ryan Dunn | 1-1 | 0-0 | 0-0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 |
| Trayce Jackson-Davis | 3-4 | 0-0 | 0-0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6 |
| TEAM TOTAL | 17-27 | 4-10 | 2-2 | 12 | 13 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 40 |
Team T Box Score - Semifinal 1
| Player | NBA Team | PTS | Game Notes |
|---|
| Gradey Dick | Toronto Raptors | 12 | Game-high scorer |
| Anthony Black | Orlando Magic | — | See official individual box score |
| Tristan da Silva | Orlando Magic | — | See official individual box score |
| Jaime Jaquez Jr. | Miami Heat | 4 | 1-2 FG, 1-1 3PT, 1-2 FT |
| Brandin Podziemski | Golden State Warriors | — | See official individual box score |
| Zaccharie Risacher | Atlanta Hawks | 4 | 2-4 FG, 2 rebounds |
| Alex Sarr | Washington Wizards | — | See official individual box score |
| TEAM TOTAL | | 34 | Lost semifinal |
Semifinal 2 - Team G League 40, Team M 39
Team G League advanced on Bryce McGowens' three-pointer. Leonard Miller led the winners with 14 points and seven rebounds, while Amen Thompson scored 10 points for Team M.
Team G League Box Score - Semifinal 2
| Player | FG | 3PT | FT | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TO | PTS |
|---|
| Bryce McGowens | 5-9 | 2-4 | 0-0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 12 |
| JD Davison | 2-5 | 1-3 | 0-0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 |
| Leonard Miller | 7-9 | 0-2 | 0-0 | 7 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 14 |
| Mac McClung | 2-6 | 1-2 | 0-0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 |
| Reed Sheppard | 0-3 | 0-2 | 0-0 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Dink Pate | 2-7 | 0-2 | 0-0 | 7 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 |
| Pat Spencer | 0-1 | 0-1 | 0-0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| TEAM TOTAL | 18-40 | 4-16 | 0-0 | 19 | 7 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 40 |
Team M Box Score - Semifinal 2
| Player | FG | 3PT | FT | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TO | PTS |
|---|
| Ausar Thompson | 2-2 | 0-0 | 1-5 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 |
| Amen Thompson | 5-6 | 0-0 | 0-0 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 10 |
| Toumani Camara | 2-5 | 1-2 | 3-4 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 8 |
| Bilal Coulibaly | 2-4 | 0-1 | 0-0 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 4 |
| Bub Carrington | 2-2 | 1-1 | 0-0 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 |
| Julian Strawther | 1-3 | 1-3 | 0-0 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| Matas Buzelis | 2-4 | 0-1 | 0-0 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 4 |
| TEAM TOTAL | 16-26 | 3-8 | 4-9 | 13 | 10 | 2 | 1 | 4 | 39 |
Semifinal 2 Team Statistics
| Statistic | Team G League | Team M |
|---|
| Final Score | 40 | 39 |
| Field Goals | 18-40 | 16-26 |
| Field Goal Percentage | 45.0% | 61.5% |
| Three-Pointers | 4-16 | 3-8 |
| Three-Point Percentage | 25.0% | 37.5% |
| Free Throws | 0-0 | 4-9 |
| Rebounds | 19 | 13 |
| Assists | 7 | 10 |
| Steals | 4 | 2 |
| Blocks | 0 | 1 |
| Turnovers | 2 | 4 |
Championship - Team C 25, Team G League 14
Stephon Castle scored 12 points, grabbed three rebounds and distributed two assists as Team C defeated Team G League 25-14 to win the Rising Stars championship.
Team C Championship Box Score
| Player | NBA Team | PTS | Game Notes |
|---|
| Stephon Castle (MVP) | San Antonio Spurs | 12 | 5-8 FG, 0-1 3PT, 2-2 FT, 3 REB, 2 AST |
| Dalton Knecht | Los Angeles Lakers | 5 | 2-5 FG, 1-3 3PT, 2 REB |
| Keyonte George | Utah Jazz | 3 | 1-3 FG, 1-3 3PT, 2 REB, 2 AST |
| Zach Edey | Memphis Grizzlies | — | See official championship box score |
| Jaylen Wells | Memphis Grizzlies | — | See official championship box score |
| Ryan Dunn | Phoenix Suns | — | See official championship box score |
| Trayce Jackson-Davis | Golden State Warriors | — | See official championship box score |
| TEAM TOTAL | | 25 | Rising Stars champions |
Team G League Championship Box Score
| Player | G League Team | PTS | Game Notes |
|---|
| JD Davison | Maine Celtics | — | See official championship box score |
| Mac McClung | Osceola Magic | — | See official championship box score |
| Bryce McGowens | Rip City Remix | — | See official championship box score |
| Leonard Miller | Iowa Wolves | — | See official championship box score |
| Dink Pate | Mexico City Capitanes | — | See official championship box score |
| Reed Sheppard | Rio Grande Valley Vipers | — | See official championship box score |
| Pat Spencer | Santa Cruz Warriors | — | See official championship box score |
| TEAM TOTAL | | 14 | Rising Stars runners-up |
2025 NBA Rising Stars Rosters
Team C - Coach Chris Mullin
| Player | NBA Team | Experience |
|---|
| Stephon Castle | San Antonio Spurs | Rookie |
| Dalton Knecht | Los Angeles Lakers | Rookie |
| Jaylen Wells | Memphis Grizzlies | Rookie |
| Keyonte George | Utah Jazz | Sophomore |
| Zach Edey | Memphis Grizzlies | Rookie |
| Trayce Jackson-Davis | Golden State Warriors | Sophomore |
| Ryan Dunn | Phoenix Suns | Rookie - Injury Replacement |
Team T - Coach Tim Hardaway Sr.
| Player | NBA Team | Experience |
|---|
| Brandin Podziemski | Golden State Warriors | Sophomore - Injury Replacement |
| Jaime Jaquez Jr. | Miami Heat | Sophomore |
| Gradey Dick | Toronto Raptors | Sophomore |
| Anthony Black | Orlando Magic | Sophomore - Injury Replacement |
| Zaccharie Risacher | Atlanta Hawks | Rookie |
| Alex Sarr | Washington Wizards | Rookie |
| Tristan da Silva | Orlando Magic | Rookie |
Team M - Coach Mitch Richmond
| Player | NBA Team | Experience |
|---|
| Amen Thompson | Houston Rockets | Sophomore |
| Ausar Thompson | Detroit Pistons | Sophomore - Injury Replacement |
| Bilal Coulibaly | Washington Wizards | Sophomore |
| Toumani Camara | Portland Trail Blazers | Sophomore - Injury Replacement |
| Bub Carrington | Washington Wizards | Rookie |
| Julian Strawther | Denver Nuggets | Sophomore - Injury Replacement |
| Matas Buzelis | Chicago Bulls | Rookie - Injury Replacement |
Team G League - Coach Jeremy Lin
| Player | G League Team |
|---|
| JD Davison | Maine Celtics |
| Mac McClung | Osceola Magic |
| Bryce McGowens | Rip City Remix |
| Leonard Miller | Iowa Wolves |
| Dink Pate | Mexico City Capitanes |
| Reed Sheppard | Rio Grande Valley Vipers |
| Pat Spencer | Santa Cruz Warriors |
2025 NBA Rising Stars Injury Replacements
Several players selected for the 2025 Rising Stars Challenge were unable to participate. The NBA named seven replacements before the event.
| Player Unable to Participate | Replacement | Team |
|---|
| Jared McCain | Ryan Dunn | Team C |
| Dereck Lively II | Anthony Black | Team T |
| Brandon Miller | Brandin Podziemski | Team T |
| Yves Missi | Matas Buzelis | Team M |
| Victor Wembanyama | Ausar Thompson | Team M |
| Cason Wallace | Toumani Camara | Team M |
| Scoot Henderson | Julian Strawther | Team M |
2025 NBA Rising Stars Historical Notes
Stephon Castle Wins MVP
San Antonio Spurs rookie Stephon Castle earned the 2025 Rising Stars MVP award after leading Team C to the championship. He scored 12 points in the final and made the winning jumper in the semifinal against Team T.
First Rising Stars Champion to Advance to the All-Star Game
The 2025 tournament introduced a new incentive: the winning Rising Stars team earned a place in the NBA All-Star Game tournament. Team C competed on February 16 under the name Team Candace.
Chris Mullin Coaches Championship Team in San Francisco
Former Golden State Warriors star Chris Mullin coached Team C to the championship at Chase Center, the home arena of his former franchise.
Bryce McGowens Makes the Winning Three-Pointer
Bryce McGowens gave Team G League a dramatic 40-39 semifinal victory over Team M with a three-pointer after his team had trailed 39-37.
Leonard Miller Scores 14 Points
Iowa Wolves forward Leonard Miller scored 14 points on seven-for-nine shooting and grabbed seven rebounds in Team G League's semifinal victory.
The Thompson Twins Play Together
Amen Thompson of the Houston Rockets and Ausar Thompson of the Detroit Pistons played together on Team M. Amen scored 10 points, while Ausar added five points and two assists.
Keyonte George Leads Team C in the Semifinal
Utah Jazz guard Keyonte George scored 10 points on three-for-five shooting and made two three-pointers as Team C defeated Team T 40-34.
Jeremy Lin Coaches Team G League
Former NBA guard Jeremy Lin coached the G League representatives to the championship game, where they fell to Team C.
Team Candace Competes in the NBA All-Star Game
On February 16, the Rising Stars champions competed against Team Shaq in the NBA All-Star Game tournament. Team Shaq defeated Team Candace 42-35, with Damian Lillard scoring nine points and Stephen Curry and Jaylen Brown contributing eight apiece.
Stephen Curry Wins 2025 NBA All-Star MVP
Stephen Curry was named MVP of the 2025 NBA All-Star Game after Team Shaq defeated the Global Stars 41-25 in the championship at Chase Center.
2025 NBA Rising Stars FAQ
Who won the 2025 NBA Rising Stars Challenge?
Team C, coached by Chris Mullin, won the tournament with a 25-14 championship victory over Team G League.
Who was the 2025 Rising Stars MVP?
Stephon Castle of the San Antonio Spurs won MVP after scoring 12 points in the championship.
Where was the 2025 Rising Stars Challenge played?
The tournament took place at Chase Center in San Francisco, California, on February 14, 2025.
What were the semifinal scores?
Team C defeated Team T 40-34, while Team G League defeated Team M 40-39.
Who scored the winning basket for Team G League?
Bryce McGowens made a three-pointer that gave Team G League a 40-39 victory over Team M.
Why did the Rising Stars champion play in the NBA All-Star Game?
For 2025, the NBA expanded its All-Star Game into a tournament and awarded one of the four places to the Rising Stars champion.
Who coached the four Rising Stars teams?
Chris Mullin, Tim Hardaway Sr., Mitch Richmond and Jeremy Lin served as honorary coaches.
Official 2025 NBA Rising Stars Box Scores
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