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Rising Stars Challenge: Charles Barkley Picks Kyrie Irving, Shaq Picks Tristan Thompson

Kyrie Irving will play for Team Chuck and Tristan Thompson will play for Team Shaq in the NBA Rising Stars Challenge.

Both Kyrie Irving & Tristan Thompson will be in Orlando during All-Star Weekend. The two Cleveland Cavaliers rookies were named to the NBA Rising Stars Challenge rosters.

Thursday, Charles Barkley and Shaquille O'Neal held a draft to determine the teams from the 18 players available (including late addition Jeremy Lin).

Irving was selected by Barkley for his team while Thompson will play for Team Shaq.

Shaq's full roster includes Griffin, Lin, Rubio. Monroe, Knight, Tristan Thompson, Kemba Walker, Landry Fields, Markieff Morris and Norris Cole. Barkley's full roster is Kyrie Irving, DeMarcus Cousins, Paul George, John Wall, Evan Turner, Marshon Brooks, Gordon Hayward, Kawhi Leonard, and Tiago Splitter.

Irving, the first overall pick in the 2011 NBA Draft, is averaging 18 points and 5.1 assists. Thompson, the fourth pick in this year's draft, has been hampered with an ankle injury recently, and it is still not known how long he will be out. He has averaged 17.4 minutes with just over seven points and 4.7 rebounds per game.

For more on the Cavaliers, visit Fear The Sword.

Photographs by spatulated, Triple Tri, and chrischappelear used in background montage under Creative Commons. Thank you.