World vs USA 2/14/20 - NBA Rising Stars Challenge Picks & Predictions

On Friday, as part of the 2020 NBA All-Star Game weekend, the 2020 NBA Rising Stars will take the court as Team USA will play Team World. Team USA will be led by Ja Morant, Collin Sexton and Trae Young in the back court while Zion Williamson and PJ Washington will secure the front court for the USA young guns. Also included on the roster for USA are Eric Paschall, Kendrick Nunn, Jaren Jackson Jr., Devonte’ Graham, Wendell Carter Jr. and Miles Bridges.

Team World will be led by triple-double sensation Luka Donncic and will include players such as Deandre Ayton, RJ Barrett, Nickeill Alexander Walker, Brandon Clark, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Rui Hachimura, Svi Mykhailiuk, Josh Okogie and Mortiz Wagner.

Noticeable absentees from the list that were overlooked by the assistant coaches that assembled the two teams were Matisse Thybulle, Jaxson Hayes and Terence Davis. Also missing from the two rosters are talented players such as Landry Shamet,  Donte DiVincenzo, Grant Williams and Jalen Brunson. but the two biggest snubs are likely Kevin Huerter and Duncan Robinson.

Since 2015 when the Team USA versus Team World format was adopted, Team World has won three of the five meetings. However, Team USA looks much stronger this season. Although, Doncic is considered the top player overall on both rosters and plays for Team World, Team USA is deep in talent with Morant, Williamson, and Young amongst others. The USA roster has plenty of talent that can strike from the outside with Nunn, Graham, and Young cocked and ready to shoot from start to finish.