PHOENIX – Tonight’s Rising Stars Game will feature Phoenix Suns rookie Ryan Dunn. The 22-year-old will participate for Chris Mullin’s team in a four-team tournament, with the winner advancing to Sunday’s night All-Star game to face off against the NBA best.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!Dunn joins a list of 11 Suns’ legends who have competed in the game and has a chance to leave his mark on a national stage. The rookie hopes to match some of these Phoenix’s great in tonight’s game.
5. 2003 Amar’e Stoudemire
Stoudemire competed in two Rising Stars games, and his rookie-year performance finds him in the fifth spot. The six-time All-Star was second in scoring for team Rookies with 18 points on 7-of-15 shooting. He massively came off the bench, throwing down highlight-reel dunks with his unreal athleticism. However, it wasn’t enough to secure the win, but the following year would be a different story, which is soon to come.
Amare Stoudemire, Steve Nash and Shawn Marion are among the best first-round picks in Suns history. Amare Stoudemire, Steve Nash, Shawn Marion Syndication: Arizona Republic
4. 2001 Shawn Marion
2001 was the second year the NBA implemented the rising star game as Rookies vs. Sophomores, and Marion showed out. He dropped 18 points on 9-of-12 shooting while grabbing three rebounds and two assists for the team sophomore. The soon-to-be four-time All-Star was having a monster 2nd season for the Suns, averaging 17.3 points and 10.7 rebounds and capping it off with a Rising Star game victory.
3. 2019 DeAndre Ayton
Feb 15, 2019; Charlotte, NC, USA; World Team center Deandre Ayton of the Phoenix Suns shoots the ball against U.S. Team forward Jaren Jackson Jr. of the Memphis Grizzlies during the All-Star Rising Stars game at Spectrum Center. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
Ayton had an all-around stat line in the 2019 Rising Stars Game. The former 1st overall pick dropped 15 points, eight rebounds, and five assists. He was third in scoring for Team World’s scoring. Ayton’s squad had nine players in double figures but couldn’t give Team World the win over USA.
2. 2016 Devin Booker
Feb 12, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; U.S. Devin Booker (1) attempts to shoot the ball as World player Nikola Jokic (15) defends in the first half during the Rising Stars Challenge basketball game at Air Canada Centre. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
Booker’s 23-point outing is the second-highest point total by a Sun in the event. He was a sniper from beyond the arc, shooting 5-of-8 from the 3-point line. Team USA needed every one of his shots as they squeaked by Team World 157-154.
1. 2004 Amar’e Stoudemire
Stoudemire’s MVP performance during the 2004 Rising Stars Game is still one of the best the event has ever seen, with 36 points and 11 rebounds on 17-of-23 shooting. The five-time All-NBA player took his 2003 loss in the game personally and came back with a vengeance in a major way. Stoudemire is still the only Sun to win the MVP during this event.
Kevin Durant praises Suns 2-way players Washington Jr., Gillespie after Rockets loss
*Get the BEST Phoenix sports insider information, and exclusive content. SIGN UP HERE to unlock our premium content!*
Reporter Tanner Tortorella covers general assignment for Burn City Sports. You can follow him on his X account, @TannerTSports
