Spurs guard Stephon Castle earned Most Valuable Player honors for Friday’s Rising Stars event, as Dave McMenamin of ESPN details.
After contributing six points, four assists, and four rebounds and making the game-winning shot in Team C’s 40-34 semifinal victory, Castle had 11 points and three assists in his squad’s 25-14 win in the final.
His team, which also includes Keyonte George, Zach Edey, Dalton Knecht, Ryan Dunn, Trayce Jackson-Davis, and Jaylen Wells, will advance to participate in Sunday’s All-Star mini-tournament, squaring off against a team drafted by Shaquille O’Neal that is headlined by LeBron James, Kevin Durant, Stephen Curry, and Jayson Tatum.
This is the first time the NBA will test out its new All-Star format, which will consist of a pair of semifinal matchups, followed by a final between the two winners, emulating the Rising Stars format. Three of the eight-player teams are made up of this year’s 24 All-Stars, while the Rising Stars champions will fill out Sunday’s four-team field.
Prior to Sunday’s event, Castle will also compete in Saturday’s slam dunk contest. According to McMenamin, the Spurs rookie will be the first player to take part in events on all three days of All-Star weekend since Blake Griffin did so in 2011. Like Castle, Griffin took part in the Rising Stars game, the dunk contest, and the All-Star Game.
While Castle’s team will be a heavy underdog in Sunday’s All-Star semifinal against a squad that also features Jaylen Brown, Kyrie Irving, James Harden, and Damian Lillard, he cautioned not to rule out the Rising Stars winners.
“We’re out there with nothing to lose,” Castle told ESPN. “We’re out there playing confident, playing free. So I just wouldn’t count us out.”
Several of Castle’s teammates will be motivated by facing their veteran teammates, with Knecht, Dunn, and Jackson-Davis going up against James, Durant, and Curry.
There will also be financial motivation at play for the Rising Stars, who are generally earning a fraction of the salaries that players on the All-Star teams are making. Castle and his teammates will each receive $35K for winning the Rising Stars tournament, per McMenamin, and would get another $125K apiece if they win Sunday’s All-Star tournament.
Hope the G League team wins so this stupid format will go away.
Maybe you should take the time to understand what is going on then. The G league team is already eliminated….
And the format is going away anyways since this is the last TNT All Star hosting. NBC has the rights now.
Um the NBA decides the format not TNT.
TNT helped influence having the inside crew involved. This format is going to be tied to TNT. NBC is not going to run the same style out unless it really works.
If the Gleague had won people would have screamed rigged. It would have been underdog league vs OG hof Shaq team.
Prepare to have millions of words written on any future injury he has blaming this.
I for one love the new format. Last night I saw players competing on both sides of the court. I hated the no defense games of the past which was boring and just looked like a offense only game. The first to 40 points is much better than a 180 to 175 game like in the past.
Tbf, there is usually more effort in the Rookie vs Sophomore games (from previous All-Stars) than there is during the actual All-Star game.
That young effort is what the NBA is trying to tap onto…
The Kobe vs MJ All Star moment… But for those lower on the totem pole…
It is clear that the NBA is not getting cozy with China from the events this weekend. They completely blew it if they were.
@Giants74 do tell. What did I miss?
Chinese/Lunar New Year.
Castle is a future 2way star. Spurs were wise not to move him in Fox trade. My ROY choice with Knecht.
Knecht looked good to. Unfortunately now I dont see steady mins in LA. I’m him, I want out. I think he gets move next yr.
Jaylen Wells a 2nd rd pick for Memphis. Was a great pick. Having a solid yr. Not a 19yr old draft pick. 21 yrs old and more NBA ready ……