Brooklyn Nets: History of Nets in Rising Stars Challenge
By Phil Watson
2009: Brook Lopez
Center Brook Lopez of the New Jersey Nets was one of eight rookies selected to the 2009 Rising Stars Challenge — then known as the Rookie Challenge — and came off the bench in the contest played at US Airways Arena in Phoenix.
In 18 minutes, Lopez tossed in 11 points with six rebounds and three blocks on 5-of-6 shooting, but the Rookies couldn’t hold a three-point halftime lead in a 122-116 loss to the Sophomores.
Kevin Durant of the Oklahoma City Thunder led the Sophomores to the win with an MVP performance featuring 46 points, a record for the game that still stands.
Lopez’s three blocked shots tied the Rising Stars Challenge record set in 2005 by Dwight Howard of the Orlando Magic and later broken in 2014 by Steven Adams of the Oklahoma City Thunder, who had four blocks.
2008: Sean Williams
New Jersey Nets rookie center Sean Williams made it three straight years a Net had been selected for the Rookie Challenge during All-Star Weekend.
He played 19 minutes at New Orleans Arena, logging a double-double with 17 points and 10 rebounds while shooting 8-of-11 from the floor.
But the Rookies came up far short in a 136-109 runaway by the Sophomores, who were led by MVP Daniel Gibson of the Cleveland Cavaliers, who scored 33 points off the bench, hitting 11-of-20 from 3-point range to set a record that still stands.