Jaden Ivey’s NBA All-Star weekend debut ended in victory.
The Detroit Pistons’ rookie guard scored seven points over two games to help his squad, Team Pau, win the 2023 Jordan Rising Stars in a four-team mini-tournament format. New Orleans Pelicans guard Jose Alvarado was named Rising Stars MVP after scoring 18 points over the two games at Vivent Arena in Salt Lake City.
Jalen Duren was initially also selected to participate in the tournament, but was a late scratch Thursday afternoon with an ankle sprain. He was replaced by Houston Rockets forward Tari Eason on Team Joakim.
SHAWN WINDSOR:Wiseman shows Pistons have a chance to tap into his unlimited potential
ROOKIE CLASS:Pistons’ Jaden Ivey, Jalen Duren have best-case comparisons: A DPOY and an MVP
Duren and Ivey were two of 28 players selected for the tournament, with a field consisting of 11 rookies, 10 sophomores and seven G League players. The 21 NBA players were split across three seven-player teams coached by former NBA players Pau Gasol, Deron Williams and Joakim Noah, with the G League players comprising the fourth team, coached by Jason Terry. Gasol, Noah and Williams drafted their rosters on Feb. 7.
The tournament consisted of four games, with two semifinal games played to a score of 40 and the final game played to a score of 25. It was the second straight year the game used the Elam format.
Ivey started hot early in the first game, showcasing his trademark quickness on a pair of layups that gave Team Pau an early 13-8 lead. Team Pau cruised to victory over Team Deron, 40-25, thanks to a game-high 13 points from Alvarado, who also chatted with the announcers via a live microphone. Ivey finished with four points in six minutes.
In the championship game, Ivey scored his lone bucket early with a pull-up 3-pointer to give Team Pau an 9-7 advantage. Alvarado hit the game-winning 3-pointer, giving him five points in the final game to give Team Pau a 25-20 win over Team Joakim.
Team Pau
- Jaden Ivey
- Paolo Banchero, Orlando Magic forward
- Bennedict Mathurin, Indiana Pacers wing
- Scottie Barnes, Toronto Raptors forward
- Jose Alvarado, New Orleans Pelicans guard
- Keegan Murray, Sacramento Kings forward
- Andrew Nembhard, Indiana Pacers guard
Catch our podcast “The Pistons Pulse” every Tuesday morning at 5 and on demand on freep.com or wherever you listen to podcasts. See all of our podcasts and daily voice briefings at freep.com/podcasts.
Contact Omari Sankofa II at osankofa@freepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @omarisankofa.
Read more on the Detroit Pistons and sign up for our Pistons newsletter.