Short answers, pulled from the story.
The Rising Stars Challenge began in 1994 under the name Rookie Challenge. The first game was held on the 12th of February 1994 at the Target Center in Minneapolis, featuring two randomly selected teams of first-year NBA players.
Since 2022, the Rising Stars Challenge uses a four-team single-elimination tournament format. A pool of 28 players including rookies, sophomores, and NBA G League players are drafted into four teams coached by former NBA legends, playing toward a Final Target Score in each round rather than a timed game.
Kevin Durant holds the single-game scoring record with 46 points, set in the 2009 game. Andre Drummond holds the rebounds record with 25, set in 2014, and John Wall holds the assists record with 22, set in 2011.
Penny Hardaway of the Orlando Magic was the first MVP of the Rookie Challenge in 1994. He won the award while playing for the losing team, a distinction also earned by Eddie Jones of the Los Angeles Lakers in 1995.
NBA G League players were included for the first time in 2022, when four G League Ignite prospects joined the expanded 28-player pool. The G League pool was broadened in 2023 to include players from any G League affiliate, not just Ignite.
Castrol has sponsored the event since 2025, and it is now officially known as Castrol Rising Stars. The 2026 game is scheduled for the 13th of February at Intuit Dome.