Joakim Noah, Pau Gasol to coach 2023 Rising Stars originally appeared on NBC Sports Chicago
Two former Chicago Bulls players, Joakim Noah and Pau Gasol, will coach two of the four teams participating in the Jordan Rising Stars mini-tournament during the NBA All-Star weekend, according to a release from the NBA.
Noah, Gasol, and Jason Terry – the coach of the third team – will select from the pool of 21 rookie and sophomore players selected via a Rising Stars draft, the date of which has not been announced. The fourth team will be comprised of the G-League players.
The tournament will start with two separate games between the four teams. The winner of each advance to play a final game to a target score of 25, ending the game on a basket or free throw.
Noah, 37, played nine of his 13 NBA seasons with the Chicago Bulls. During his time in Chicago, he garnered two All-Star nods and the NBA’s defensive player of the year award during the 2013-14 season.
Gasol, 42, played with the Bulls for two seasons late in his career, earning All-Star nods in both years. He averaged 16.5 points and 11 rebounds per game during the regular season of his last year with Chicago.
The Jordan Rising Stars game will take place on Feb 17 at 9 pm EST as part of the NBA’s All-Star weekend in Salt Lake City.
Click here to follow the Bulls Talk Podcast.