First-time All-Star Victor Wembanyama will team up with reigning NBA MVP Nikola Jokic and two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo in the NBA All-Star Tournament, set to take place on February 16 in San Francisco, MySportDab Reports.
Charles Barkley selected the trio for his international-heavy roster in Thursday’s revamped All-Star Draft.
This year’s All-Star format features four teams competing in a tournament. Former NBA stars Shaquille O’Neal, Barkley, and Kenny Smith each drafted their squads from previously announced All-Star starters and reserves.
The fourth team, Team Candace, will comprise the winners of the Rising Stars Challenge, named after WNBA legend Candace Parker.
Team Shaq boasts six past All-Star MVPs, including first overall pick LeBron James, making his 21st All-Star appearance. Joining him are Stephen Curry, Kevin Durant, Anthony Davis, Jayson Tatum, and Damian Lillard, alongside Jaylen Brown and James Harden.
Meanwhile, Barkley’s team centers on international talent, starting with Jokic, Antetokounmpo, and Wembanyama, the youngest All-Star at 21.
Cameroonian forward Pascal Siakam, Turkish center Alperen Sengun, Dominican star Karl-Anthony Towns, and Donovan Mitchell complete the lineup.
Smith, focusing on youth, selected Minnesota’s Anthony Edwards and New York’s Jalen Brunson, with additional picks including Jaren Jackson Jr., Cade Cunningham, and Jalen Williams.
Barkley confidently backed his team’s chemistry, contrasting with O’Neal’s squad, which he claimed might face internal conflict due to recent trade dramas. Smith, however, questioned the competitiveness of Barkley’s international stars, adding intrigue to the tournament.
This revamped format promises a unique showcase of talent, blending rising stars with veteran brilliance on basketball’s biggest stage.
