Former Indiana center Trayce Jackson-Davis was among 11 “sophomores” selected for the 2025 NBA Rising Stars lineup. Even though he was favored to claim the rookie of the year title, fellow Hoosier Kel’el Ware was excluded from the roster.
On Tuesday, the NBA revealed the rosters for the 2025 Rising Stars games, and former Indiana Hoosier Trayce Jackson-Davis was selected.
Currently with the Golden State Warriors, Jackson-Davis was among 11 “sophomores” included on the roster. The Rising Stars match includes 10 rookies and seven G-League players, yet Miami Heat center and fellow Hoosier Kel’el Ware was excluded.
Jackson-Davis has played in 44 games and started 36 for the Warriors during the 22-23 season. He’s participating in 20 minutes each game and is averaging 8.2 points, 6.4 rebounds, 2.2 assists, and 0.8 blocks per game, shooting 57.1% from the floor and 59.5% from the charity stripe. He has recorded 16 games with points in double digits and seven games with 10 or greater rebounds.
Jackson-Davis was selected as the 57th pick in the 2024 NBA Draft from Indiana, where he earned first-team All-American honors in 2022-23, averaging 20.9 points, 10.8 rebounds, 4.0 assists, and 2.9 blocks per game. He completed his studies at Indiana as the program’s top rebounder ever and ranked third on the all-time scoring chart.
Ware’s omission from the roster is somewhat unexpected, as he is presently favored to win the 2025 NBA Rookie of the Year award, as per the FanDuel Sportsbook. Ware has odds of plus-155 to earn the award, with San Antonio Spurs guard Stephon Castle next at plus-400, Washington Wizards center Alex Sarr at plus-450, and Memphis Grizzlies wing Jaylen Wells at plus-490 odds.
Ware has played in 30 games and started four for the 23-22 Heat. He averages 16.8 minutes on the court each game, scoring 8.6 points, grabbing 4.8 rebounds, and blocking 1.0 shots, with a shooting percentage of 56.5% from the field, 42.6% from beyond the arc, and 72.7% on free throws.
When considering each game for rookies, Ware ranks 12th in scoring, sixth in rebounding, and fifth in blocks. He might have a shot at joining the Rising Stars roster as a substitute since Philadelphia 76ers guard Jared McCain was included despite a season-ending knee injury.
