The 2020 Rising Stars Challenge between Team USA and Team World is once again loaded with promising young talent. You got Luka Doncic being a top MVP candidate, Trae Young burying shots from the parking lot and lighting up the scoreboard, and rookies Ja Morant and Zion Williamson wowing people with their insane athleticism.

…but you already knew all about them. In fact, you’re probably getting tired of hearing their names.

It’s time we turn some of the spotlight on the lesser-known guys that are just as hungry and driven. There’s a handful of them in the game. Let’s get this rolling.

Kendrick Nunn – Miami Heat (Team USA)
Current averages: 15.3 PPG, 3.5 APG

The undrafted rookie guard has been a key piece in the Miami Heat’s resurgence in the East thanks to his inside-out attack. He gained buzz after averaging 24 PPG in the Summer League, boosted by dropping 40 points in a pre-season game, and it snowballed into the regular season, where he was the team’s leading scorer for the first eight weeks. Nunn has won the East’s Rookie Of The Month honors in all three months of the season.

Eric Paschall – Golden State Warriors (Team USA)
Current averages: 13.2 PPG, 4.7 RPG

Rookie Eric Paschall found himself getting heavy minutes after the once-indestructible Warriors were bombarded with injuries. He quickly proved that he deserved the slot and posted 17.1 points per game on 50.3% shooting through his first 23 games, including a clutch, 34-point performance in their win over the Portland Trail Blazers last November 5th.

Brandon Clarke – Memphis Grizzlies (Team World)
Current averages: 12.3 PPG, 5.7 RPG

It was shocking to see him slip into the 21st pick in last year’s draft, but it was probably for the best as he is a perfect fit to the Grizzlies’ vision to re-create the Grit N’ Grind era. Clarke plays with a lot of tenacity on both ends of the floor and he lives to punish the rim. He can be an easy standout on free-flowing type of games because he competes hard in transition all the time.

Rui Hachimura – Washington Wizards (Team World)
Current averages: 13.9 PPG, 6.0 RPG

Rui Hachimura is a hardworker who plays with a lot of smarts, and landing with the Wizards’ mostly young core was quite the blessing as it gave him more chances to showcase and develop his skills. Though not the fastest or strongest on the floor, he has great tangibles and can always find a way to give his team buckets.