NBA Reveals 'Rising Stars Challenge' Roster Pool, Kyrie Irving, Blake Griffin Lead Field

Read More: Tiago Splitter (C - SAN), Blake Griffin (F - LAC), Ricky Rubio (G - MIN), Gordon Hayward (G - UTA), Greg Monroe (C - DET), Paul George (F - IND), DeMarcus Cousins (C - SAC), Al-Farouq Aminu (F - NOH), Evan Turner (G - PHI), Derrick Favors (C - UTA), Wesley Johnson (F - MIN), Landry Fields (F - NYK), John Wall (G - WAS), Ekpe Udoh (C - MIL), Kawhi Leonard (F - SAN), Marshon Brooks (G - NJN), Enes Kanter (C - UTA), Tristan Thompson (C - CLE), Kyrie Irving (G - CLE), Kemba Walker (G - CHA), Brandon Knight (G - DET), Derrick Williams (F - MIN), Bismack Biyombo (C - CHA), Jan Vesely (F - WAS), Klay Thompson (G - GSW), Markieff Morris (F - PHO), Jimmer Fredette (G - SAC), New Jersey Nets, Indiana Pacers, Detroit Pistons, New Orleans Hornets, Washington Wizards, Phoenix Suns, New York Knicks, Minnesota Timberwolves, San Antonio Spurs, Golden State Warriors, Los Angeles Clippers, Charlotte Bobcats, Philadelphia 76ers, Cleveland Cavaliers, Utah Jazz, Sacramento Kings

The NBA revealed the 18 players that will make up the first-annual "Rising Stars Challenge" at the 2012 NBA All-Star Weekend. The game, formerly the Rookie/Sophomore Challenge, features TNT analysts Shaquille O'Neal and Charles Barkley picking teams from a pool of nine rookies and nine sophomores. Those 18 players are as follows:

ROOKIES: Kyrie Irving (Cavaliers), Derrick Williams (Timberwolves), Tristan Thompson (Cavaliers), Ricky Rubio (Timberwolves), Brandon Knight (Pistons), Kemba Walker (Bobcats), Markieff Morris (Suns), Kawhi Leonard (Spurs), Marshon Brooks (Nets).

SOPHOMORES: Blake Griffin (Clippers), John Wall (Wizards), Evan Turner (76ers), DeMarcus Cousins (Kings), Greg Monroe (Pistons), Gordon Hayward (Jazz), Paul George (Pacers), Landry Fields (Knicks), Tiago Splitter (Spurs).

Several top-10 draft picks were left out on both sides. Rookie top-10 picks absent include Enes Kanter (Jazz), Jan Vesely (Wizards), Bismack Biyombo (Bobcats), Jimmer Fredette (Kings) and Klay Thompson (Warriors). Sophomore top-10 picks not selected include Derrick Favors (Jazz), Wesley Johnson (Timberwolves), Ekpe Udoh (Warriors) and Al-Farouq Aminu (Hornets).

The 2012 Rising Stars Challenge will be played on Friday, Feb. 24 in Orlando as part of All-Star Weekend.