The NBA has announced the player pool for the Castrol Rising Stars rosters, and no one from the Sacramento Kings made the cut. Most surprisingly, neither Maxime Raynaud nor Dylan Cardwell was listed. Given how well both of them have played this season, it's unfortunate to see them excluded.
As part of the NBA All-Star Weekend coming up on February 13 to 15 in Los Angeles, Castrol will sponsor the Rising Stars mini-tournament. There will be three games played by four teams made up of NBA rookies, NBA sophomores, and G League players.
Coaches for the Rising Stars teams are Carmelo Anthony, Vince Carter, Tracy McGrady, and Austin Rivers. Three of the teams will be drafted from the 21 NBA rookies and sophomores, while the fourth team will be made up entirely of G League players. It's a chance for up-and-comers to show off.
Not surprisingly, the rookie list includes names like Cooper Flagg, Kon Knueppel, VJ Edgecombe, and Cedric Coward. These are some of the top rookies in the league. At the same time, the Kings have a pair of new players who should have been considered for the Castrol Rising Stars tournament.
At least one of Raynaud and Cardwell should have made a roster
When it comes to standout rookies, Maxime Raynaud is up there. He has proven to be a reliable starting center, played incredible basketball throughout December, and has become a fixture on the Kia Rookie Ladder. One would think that might get a rookie a Rising Stars nod.
The same is true of Dylan Cardwell, who is a high-energy defensive powerhouse and has gained respect in both the NBA and the G League this season. That being said, good defensive play doesn't usually get the attention it deserves when it comes to any part of the All-Star Weekend.
To select the player pool, the coaching staff from each NBA franchise submitted a ballot ranking their top ten rookies and top ten sophomores from across the league. Players then receive points based on their ranking, and the pool of rookies and sophomores is finalized. Yes, it's a popularity contest.
Regardless of their performances on the court, Raynaud and Cardwell weren't going to get those kinds of votes. They simply aren't recognizable names in the league, at least not as recognizable as the ten rookies who made the cut. Regardless, Kings' fans know how good they both truly are.