NBA Rising Stars 2025: The Next Generation’s All-Star Path
Think back just a few years—could anyone have predicted Luka Doncic would become an All-Star that fast? Now, in the 2025 NBA Rising Stars Challenge, we’re starting to see clear signs of the league’s next wave. This year’s event isn’t just a showcase; it’s a sneak peek at who might be headlining All-Star Weekend in the near future. Three names are turning heads for all the right reasons: Amen Thompson, Scoot Henderson, and Zach Edey.
Amen Thompson, suiting up for the Houston Rockets, is quickly becoming one of those rare young players who can guard just about anyone while still piling up points. His rookie season saw flashes of potential, but now he’s stringing together games packed with steals, blocks, fast breaks, and even more confidence shooting the ball. It’s his two-way ability that makes scouts and fans look twice. Since arriving, Thompson’s shown he can switch between guarding wings and smaller guards, which gives Houston flexibility on defense—and crucially, puts him in the conversation for an All-Star nod if he keeps up the trajectory.
Then there’s Scoot Henderson from the Portland Trail Blazers. He’s the guy that doesn’t shirk the spotlight—he lives for those fourth-quarter moments. While he’s coming off the bench for now, that hasn’t kept him from making an impact. His efficiency is climbing, his shot selection is getting sharper, and his passing vision is opening up a suddenly dynamic Blazers attack. When you see defenders sagging off him at their own peril—or overcommitting and getting burned by a zipped assist—you start to believe he won’t just be a flash in the pan. Players with Henderson’s combination of speed, torque, and control rarely take long to break out.
Let’s not sleep on Zach Edey either. The Indiana Pacers have a towering force in the paint: Edey eats up rebounds, clogs up driving lanes, and is already blocking over 1.5 shots per game. Those numbers might sound like box-score padding, but coaches quietly rave about how his mere presence warps opposing offenses. Offensively, he’s carving out space for second-chance points, and when you watch him on back-to-back nights, it’s clear he doesn’t get bullied around—he does the bullying. If history is any guide, bigs with these numbers are usually fighting for an All-Star spot soon enough.
The Teams, Supporting Cast, and the Road to NBA Stardom
No Rising Stars event is complete without its teams and coaching drama. For this edition, Team M, coached by NBA great Mitch Richmond, has the inside track with a trio featuring Thompson, Bilal Coulibaly, and Yves Missi. Coulibaly, now in his second year with Washington, is catching execs’ eyes with a notable jump in both assists and playmaking. He’s not just better—he’s also making his teammates better, a useful trait in a league loaded with scorers but short on connectors.
On Team C, led by Chris Mullin, the focus shifts to sharpshooters and perimeter threats. Dalton Knecht and Keyonte George lead the scoring attack, each giving defenses headaches from behind the arc. But Team M’s physicality—anchored by Missi’s shot-blocking and cleaning the glass—makes for a compelling contrast and should keep the games gritty and competitive.
What’s really at stake this year is more than bragging rights. The tournament’s winner moves straight onto the big NBA All-Star Game platform. For the players, that means exposure on the league’s grandest stage, a chance to test their skills against the elite, and a potential springboard to superstardom. It’s not just a game—it’s a moment that can define reputations for years.
All signs point to names like Amen Thompson, Scoot Henderson, and Zach Edey making the leap sooner rather than later. The way they’re trending, don’t be surprised if fans are voting them into the All-Star Game themselves within the next five seasons. The next wave of NBA stars isn’t just coming. They’re already here—ready to claim their place in league history.
