Orlando Magic: Predicting the NBA Rising Stars Game roster pool

The Orlando Magic are not likely to have a lot of representation in Cleveland later this month for the NBA All-Star Weekend.

That is the lot for a team at the bottom of the standings. They do not get the recognition on Sunday for the big game — and often do not even get recognition for the smaller events on All-Star Saturday Night.

Cole Anthony will make sure Magic fans have a reason to watch Saturday night as he reportedly will enter the Dunk Contest.

But for a young team like the Magic, Friday night is their night. That is the night young stars shine. And considering how young this Magic team is, they should have plenty of representation for the NBA’s Clorox Rising Stars game.

This year will bring a new format to the game which looks like it should be to the Magic’s benefit for representation.

The event will now feature four teams, made up of a combination of rookies, sophomores and a couple of G-League Ignite players. It has not yet been announced who the four captains will be, but we do know that there will be a draft of teams of seven followed by a mini-tournament.

The rosters will be chosen by NBA assistant coaches, but it should be relatively simple to predict most of the players who will be included as many rookies and sophomores have separated themselves from the pack.

The Orlando Magic may not have much representation at NBA All-Star Weekend. But the team should have its fingerprints all over the NBA’s Rising Stars game on Friday night.

Pending the upcoming announcement of the roster pool for the Rising Stars game, it will likely be a busy weekend for Anthony. He should, without a doubt, be included as one of the 12 sophomores in the game. If the captains are all second-year players, I would argue Anthony should be one that drafts his own team.

Both R.J. Hampton and Chuma Okeke are sophomores too. But they probably will just miss the cut for the Orlando Magic.

As for the rookie class, Franz Wagner has played his way into the rookie of the year conversation. This should surprise no one. But many are impressed by the immediate maturity of his game.

Fellow lottery selection Jalen Suggs should make the roster as well, despite missing some games due to injury.

Since returning to the lineup a few weeks ago, Suggs has looked more comfortable and seems to have a highlight play (or a few) every night. He has made up for lost time for sure.

It will be impossible to leave a top five pick out of the Rising Stars Game, especially one whose game will be perfect for the free-flowing style of All-Star Weekend.

So as it stands the Orlando Magic should have three players in the Rising Stars Game. Let’s break down the full roster pool to see how it will shake out.

Rising Stars Game: predicted rookie player pool

1. Cade Cunningham, Pistons
2. Evan Mobley, Cavaliers
3. Franz Wagner, Magic
4. Scottie Barnes, Raptors
5. Jalen Suggs, Magic
6. Josh Giddey, Thunder
7. Jalen Green, Rockets
8. Ayo Dosunmu, Bulls
9. Herbert Jones, Pelicans
10. Chris Duarte, Pacers
11. Alperen Sengun, Rockets
12. Jonathan Kuminga, Warriors

The top 10 slots here are a lock. Many of the top rookies are wings so Alperen Sengun will be included as a big and Jonathan Kuminga is an exciting player for one the NBA’s most popular teams.

Potential snubs are Davion Mitchell, Cam Thomas and Aaron Wiggins. But this is a mostly non-dramatic list.

Franz Wagner is easily one of the first names included here as he is leading the rookie class in points (15.7), fifth in rebounds (4.6) and fourth in assists (2.9).

Suggs too, while he may be on the fence some because of the time he missed, has the numbers to make the game. Suggs is seventh in scoring at 12.4 points per game, third in assists at 4.0 per game and fourth in steals at 1.2 per game.

Suggs missed a lot of time, but he has clearly made an impact. And that does not even dive into how he has helped the Magic transform their defense since his return.

Rising Stars Game: predicted sophomore player pool

1. LaMelo Ball, Hornets
2. Anthony Edwards, Timberwolves
3. Cole Anthony, Magic
4. Saddiq Bey, Pistons
5. Tyrese Haliburton, Kings
6. Desmond Bane, Grizzlies
7. Jae’Sean Tate, Rockets
8. Tyrese Maxey, 76ers
9. Isaac Okoro, Cavaliers
10. Immanuel Quickley, Knicks
11. Isaiah Stewart, Pistons
12. Onyeka Okongwu, Hawks

Similar to the rookie class, the top end of this list is non-arguable. Both Isaiah Stewart and Onyeka Okongwu are two of the best bigs in the class and will need to be included in the game to provide some roster balance.

If the NBA decides to make four sophomores the captains, the top four names listed here should be drafting the teams, including Orlando Magic guard Cole Anthony.

Anthony is fourth in the class in points per game (17.8 per game) and third in assists per game (6.0 per game). just behind LaMelo Ball for both.

Obi Toppin, Precious Achiuwa and Kenyon Martin Jr. all deserve to have their names in the mix. For the Magic, R.J. Hampton could get a few votes but may be on the outside looking in. Hampton will likely still be nursing his knee injury and not ready to play in an exhibition game.

It is clear the Magic have some of the best young players in the league and players who will make an impact in this showcase, especially with the teams and rosters getting split up.

As it stands now, the Magic should have three players in the Rising Stars Game. It will be interesting to see how things shake out in the captain’s draft.

If the player pool shakes out how it is laid out above, the Magic will be tied with the Detroit Pistons and the Houston Rockets with three players in the event.

This is proof the Magic are rebuilding the right way. The first step is having numerous exciting young players.

On February 18, a national audience will get acquainted with three of the best young players in the league: Cole Antony, Franz Wagner and Jalen Suggs.