Star, Chris Paul makes a pitch to coaches about selecting Spurs teammate Victor Wembanyama for his first such honor.

The story, as Buford tells it, goes like this: Claudio Crippa, an international scout for the Spurs, proposed going to see a youth game before checking out Doumbouya. Buford saw Wembanyama play for the first time that day. And the seeds for the Spurs’ new master plan were immediately planted.

The NBA announced the rosters for the Rising Stars Challenge for All-Star Weekend in San Francisco, with reigning Rookie of the Year Victor Wembanyama headlining the list of players. The Rising Stars Challenge will take place on Friday,