Tyrese Maxey named to 2022 NBA Rising Stars Roster

Kentucky’s 11-year streak of having at least one former Wildcat on the Rising Stars roster will continue on for a 12th.

On Tuesday night, the full rosters for the NBA’s 2022 Rising Stars event at All-Star Weekend were announced and Philadephia 76ers second-year point guard Tyrese Maxey made the cut. The one-time ‘Cat is one of 12 sophomores to make the roster, joining 12 rookies and four players from the G League Ignite. The 28-team roster will be split into four teams that will compete in three games on Friday, Feb. 18 at 9:00 p.m. EST on TNT.

no doubt about it. @TyreseMaxey has been named a 2022 NBA Rising Star! pic.twitter.com/ayNC5vBzZp

— Philadelphia 76ers (@sixers) February 2, 2022

Maxey has been a necessary surprise for the Sixers, taking over for All-Star Ben Simmons, who has not played for Philly this season after a fallout stemming from last season’s playoffs. The 21-year-old is averaging 16.8 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 4.7 assists in 35.7 minutes per game this season on 46.7 percent shooting from the floor, 40.1 percent from 3-point range, and 86.0 percent from the free-throw line.

In place of Simmons, Maxey has started in 42 of the 43 games he’s played in this season. The extended role is a significant bump from his rookie role, when Maxey averaged just 8.0 points in 15.3 minutes per game.

It was just a one-year pit stop in Lexington for Maxey, but it sure was a good one — that could have been better had COVID-19 not gotten involved. The 6-foot-2 guard was part of a Kentucky backcourt trio that also included Immanuel Quickley and Ashton Hagans. Maxey averaged 14.0 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 3.2 assists at UK on 42.7 percent shooting overall. The Wildcats finished the year 25-6 (15-3 in the SEC) before COVID-19 canceled the 2019-20 postseason.

Maxey is one of 20 former Kentucky players (during the John Calipari era) to make the Rising Stars roster, which has had several different formats since the event in 2011. 11 of those 20 wound up making the list in both their rookie and sophomore seasons: DeMarcus Cousins, John Wall, Brandon Knight, Anthony Davis, Nerlens Noel, Devin Booker, Karl-Anthony Towns, Trey Lyles, Jamal Murray, De’Aaron Fox, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, and Tyler Herro.

2022 NBA Rising Stars Roster

ROOKIES

• Scottie Barnes, Toronto Raptors
• Cade Cunningham, Detroit Pistons
• Ayo Dosunmu, Chicago Bulls
• Chris Duarte, Indiana Pacers
• Josh Giddey, Oklahoma City Thunder
• Jalen Green, Houston Rockets
• Herbert Jones, New Orleans Pelicans
• Davion Mitchell, Sacramento Kings
• Evan Mobley, Cleveland Cavaliers
• Alperen Sengun, Houston Rockets
• Jalen Suggs, Orlando Magic
• Franz Wagner, Orlando Magic

SOPHOMORES

• Precious Achiuwa, Toronto Raptors
• Cole Anthony, Orlando Magic
• LaMelo Ball, Charlotte Hornets
• Desmond Bane, Memphis Grizzlies
• Saddiq Bey, Detroit Pistons
• Anthony Edwards, Minnesota Timberwolves
• Tyrese Haliburton, Sacramento Kings
• Tyrese Maxey, Philadelphia 76ers
• Jaden McDaniels, Minnesota Timberwolves
• Isaac Okoro, Cleveland Cavaliers
• Isaiah Stewart, Detroit Pistons
• Jae’Sean Tate, Houston Rockets

G LEAGUE IGNITE

• MarJon Beauchamp
• Dyson Daniels
• Jaden Hardy
• Scoot Henderson