USA vs. the World: There's a New Format for the NBA Rising Stars Challenge 2015

This year's NBA Rising Stars challenge pits international players against the United States.

Photo Removed
Complex Original

Blank pixel used during image takedowns

Photo Removed

While the Slam Dunk Contest goes back to the classic format on Saturday, Friday night's NBA Rising Stars Challenge will undergo a major tweak. Over the last few years, the game's gone from pitting freshman against sophomores to putting players into a talent pool and letting captains draft their teams gym class-style. In 2015, the teams will be divided into a one camp representing the United States and another team made up of international players.

The change makes sense when you consider the decade-long, meteoric rise of foreign-born players in the NBA. There were 101 international players on opening night rosters to begin the 2014-15 season, a number that's more than doubled over the last 15 years. This year's crop includes Slam Dunk contestants Victor Oladipo, Zach LaVine, and Giannis Antetokounmpo, as well as the 2014 NBA Draft's No. 1 overall pick Andrew Wiggins. 

For more on this story, check out the video above.

Latest in Sports