Detroit Pistons rookie guard Cade Cunningham was named MVP of the Rising Stars Challenge at NBA All-Star Weekend. Cunningham helped lead Team Barry to the inaugural Rising Stars Challenge championship.
In the two-game tournament, the first set of games were each played to a 50-point target score. The final was then played to a 25-point target score. The 75-point total target was in honor of the NBA’s 75th anniversary season.
In Team Barry’s first game, Cunningham scored 13 points, grabbed five rebounds and handed out six assists. He also added a steal and two blocks. In the championship, Cunningham added five points, two rebounds, three assists and a steal.
The new format featured three intense endings to each game. As teams closed in on the target score, there was an uncharacteristic amount of defense played in the exhibition games. All players involved seemed to enjoy the new format.
