NBA Rising Stars Challenge 2015: TV Channel, Start Time, Rosters, Betting Odds And Prediction

Andrew Wiggins TWolves 2015 — Timberwolves small forward Andrew Wiggins leads all rookies with 15.2 points per game this season, and headlines the World All-Stars in the Rising Stars Challenge Friday night. Reuters

The NBA rolls out the latest showcase for its young, emerging talent with the World All-Stars taking on the USA All-Stars in the Rising Star Challenge on Friday night at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York.

In the previous two years former NBA stars and legends would coach a mixed and matched group of first and second-year stars, but this year those hailing from the U.S. will square off against some of the league’s top internationals.

Odds makers have the U.S. squad, headlined by Orlando Magic guards Victor Oladipo and Elfrid Payton, along with Brooklyn Nets center Mason Plumlee, as four-point favorites.

The squad will miss injured Philadelphia 76ers point guard Michael Carter-Williams, but Payton and Oladipo figure to lead the offense along with Detroit Pistons swingman Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and Plumlee holding down the middle with Charlotte Hornets center Cody Zeller.

Head coach Alvin Gentry's squad also features the top rebounder, shot blocker and steal artist of this year’s rookie class. Forced sit out all of last season due to a serious knee injury, the 76ers 2013 No. 1 pick Nerlens Noel has roared back in his first season with 8.2 points, 7.1 rebounds, 1.59 steals and 1.7 blocks per game.

But the World counters with arguably a more potent roster. Kenny Atkinson, an assistant on the Atlanta Hawks, will have plenty of scoring talent on his squad.

The 2014 No. 1 pick and Minnesota Timberwolves small forward Andrew Wiggins leads the international squad having won Western Conference Rookie of the Month honors the last two months. The Canadian star is joined by Minnesota teammate and center Gorgui Dieng, or Senegal, and the Utah Jazz’s inside-outside tandem of Australian guard Dante Exum, and French center Rudy Gobert.

Wiggins leads all rookies with 15.2 points per game this season, but in January alone he went on a 19.8 ppg tear while shooting 47.1 percent from the field.

Much like All-Star Weekend’s main event, this year’s Challenge is plagued by injuries. Williams, along with Oklahoma City Thunder center Steven Adams, Denver Nuggets center Jusuf Nurkic and Boston Celtics big man Kelly Olynyk won’t play due to injury.

World All-Stars

Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee Bucks

Bojan Bogdanovic, Brooklyn Nets

Matthew Dellavedova, Cleveland Cavaliers

Gorgui Dieng, Minnesota Timberwolves

Dante Exum, Utah Jazz

Rudy Gobert, Utah Jazz

Nikola Mirotic, Chicago Bulls

Kostas Papanikolaou, Houston Rockets

Dennis Schroder, Atlanta Hawks

Andrew Wiggins, Minnesota Timberwolves

Steven Adams, OKC Thunder (injured)