The NBA announced Wednesday that it’s changing the format of the BBVA Compass Rising Stars Challenge, pitting first-and second-year players from the United States versus those from around the world.
A record 101 international players from 37 countries and territories were on opening-night rosters to start the season season.
The event will take place Friday, Feb. 13 as part of NBA All-Star Weekend.
From the press release:
The league’s assistant coaches will select 10 U.S. players and 10 international players for the game, with one ballot for each of the NBA’s 30 teams. Both 10-man rosters will include four guards, four frontcourt players and two players regardless of position. Each team will also feature a minimum of three first-year players and three second-year players among its 10 spots.
The head coaches for each team will be an assistant from the 2015 NBA All-Star Game coaching staffs. The Eastern Conference and Western Conference All-Star Game coaches will be determined by the best record in the conference through games played on Sunday, Feb. 1.
Canada boasts a league-high total of six international first- and second-year players, half of the record 12 Canadians in the NBA this season, including the No. 1 overall picks in each of the last two NBA Drafts. Australia has a combined four international first- and second-year players, half of the record eight Australians in the NBA this season.
