At the 2022 NBA All-Star Weekend in Cleveland, you'll notice that there is a

Posted by seestyle on August 8th, 2022

At the 2022 NBA All-Star Weekend in Cleveland, you'll notice that there is a new format for Friday night's Rising Stars Challenge.

The event began as a showcase for the league's best rookies but slowly evolved into a battle between the top rookies and sophomores. It adopted a Team USA vs. Team World approach in 2015, which stuck around until this year when the NBA went back to the drawing board.

For the first time, the Rising Stars Challenge will be a four-team, single-elimination tournament to decide the winner. Each Jessie Lemonier Jersey team will be composed of seven players, drafted from a pool of 12 rookies, 12 sophomores and here's the biggest difference four players from the G League Ignite development program.

The Ignite will send 2022 NBA Draft prospects Jaden Hardy, Dyson Daniels and MarJon Beauchamp, plus 2023 NBA Draft prospect Scoot Henderson, to competein the event. This gives four future NBA hopefuls an unbelievable and unexpected opportunity to showcase their Jared Goff Jersey potential against the best young players in the league.

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In the week leading up to the contest, The Sporting News spoke to Hardy, who was the No. 2 player in the high school cla s of 2021 before he elected to take his talents to the Ignite over offers from several high-major college programs.

If you're unfamiliar with Hardy, now is the time to get to know him. He is a prolific scoring combo guard who projects to be a top-10 pick in the upcoming NBA Draft. He has come on strong as the Ignite's season has gone on, averaging roughly 18 points, four a sists and three boards per game in his first profe sional campaign.

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Hardy is an elite shot creator with "in-the-gym" shooting range, which helps keep defenders honest so he can use his burst to get downhill and score at T.J. Hockenson Jersey the rim. He is one of the most well-rounded offensive threats in his draft cla s, and he can't wait to show off his skills at NBA All-Star Weekend.

"I was excited," Hardy told TSN on the surprising chance to compete in the Rising Stars Challenge. "It's a great chance for some exposure against some of the top young guys in the league.

"It's a great opportunity for the future of the (G League Ignite). I can't wait to compete but also learn from them and ask questions too."

Going up against future stars of the league like LaMelo Ball, Evan Mobley, Cade Cunningham and Jalen Green, there's no shortage of competition to prove he belongs.

The one matchup he's looking forward to? "All of 'em."

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Hardy will be playing for Team Isiah, coached by Hall of Fame guard Isiah Thomas. As a Detroit native, Hardy was hyped up when he found out he was drafted by the Pistons all-time great.

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"We're definitely going to have that Detroit connection going on there," he told TSN.

Hardy Dean Marlowe Jersey said he's had some interactions with Thomas in the past, but he can't wait to chop it up with him at All-Star Weekend and pick the NBA 75 member's brain.

"Like you said, I was too young to see him live, but I used to go to a lot of Pistons games growing up," Hardy said. "I never saw him play but I've watched a lot on him, whether it's old games on TV or YouTube.

"He's a legend, man. I'm looking forward to asking him questions about the game, learning from him and trying to get as much information as po sible."

Alongside Hardy, headlining Team Isiah is the No. 1 overall pick in the 2020 NBA Draftandthe Rising Stars Draft, Anthony Edwards. Edwards is one of the most electrifying players in the NBA already at the age of 20, making for a high-flying tandem with Hardy.

When asked what a Jaden Hardy-Anthony Edwards backcourt looks like, the Ignite prospect kept it simple.

"Scary, for real."

All-Star Marvin Jones Jr. Jersey Weekend in Cleveland won't just be special to Hardy because it's his first time as a participant it's also his first-ever live All-Star experience in general.

When asked if the 19-year-old had ever attended an All-Star Weekend in the past or if he had any memories a sociated with it, he lit up with excitement about the chance to soak it in as a fan, too.

"I always watched the Dunk Contest and 3-Point Contest every year," he told TSN.

"I remember watching Aaron Gordon and Zach LaVine. I remember Dwight (Howard) coming out with the cape on. I always thought to myself it would be cool to be in the Dunk or 3-Point Contest.

"It's crazy that the first time I'll ever go to All-Star Weekend, I'll be playing in it."

You can watch Hardy in the Rising Stars Challenge on Friday, Alex Anzalone Jersey Feb. 18 at 9 p.m. ET.