Updated February 08, 2012
The NBA added a showcase for the league's youngest players to the lineup of All-Star Weekend events back in 1994. Initially, the game featured rookies only. In 2000, the format was changed to match first-year stars against the league's best sophomores. The Sophs dominated that series, winning eight of twelve games, though the rookies were victorious in 2010 and 11.
New Format for 2012
The league has announced another format change for the 2012 game. The participants will be the same - the league's best first and second-year players, as selected by assistant coaches league-wide. But instead of rookies vs. sophomores, two honorary "general managers" will choose sides, just like you might in a pickup game at the local Y.Shaquille O'Neal and Charles Barkley will do the honors.
They'll be selecting teams from a list that includes sophomores Blake Griffin (Clippers), DeMarcus Cousins (Kings), Landry Fields (New York Knicks), Paul George (Pacers), Gordon Hayward (Jazz), Greg Monroe (Pistons), Tiago Splitter (Spurs), Evan Turner (76ers), and John Wall (Wizards) and rookies Ricky Rubio and Derrick Williams (Timberwolves), Kyrie Irving and Tristan Thompson (Cavaliers), MarShon Brooks (Nets), Brandon Knight (Pistons), Kawhi Leonard (Spurs), Markieff Morris (Suns), and Kemba Walker (Bobcats).
2011 Rookie/Sophomore Game
All-star games at all levels are typically defense-free affairs; the 2011 Rookie/Sophomore Game was just the latest example. John Wall set a game record by recording an eye-popping 22 assists - many of them hook-ups with his Kentucky Wildcat teammate DeMarcus Cousins - leading the rookies to a 148-140 win and taking home the MVP trophy.Rookie/Sophomore Challenge History
| Year | Location | Game Result | MVP |
| 2011 | Los Angeles | Rookies 148, Sophomores 140 | Washington Wizards |
| 2010 | Dallas | Rookies 140, Sophomores 128 | Sacramento Kings |
| 2009 | Phoenix | Sophomores 122, Rookies 116 | Oklahoma City Thunder |
| 2008 | New Orleans | Sophomores 136, Rookies 109 | Cleveland Cavaliers |
| 2007 | Las Vegas | Sophomores 155, Rookies 114 | New York Knicks |
| 2006 | Houston | Sophomores 106, Rookies 96 | Philadelphia 76ers |
| 2005 | Denver | Sophomores 133, Rookies 106 | Denver Nuggets |
| 2004 | Los Angeles | Sophomores 142, Rookies 118 | Phoenix Suns |
| 2003 | Atlanta | Sophomores 132, Rookies 112 | Golden State Warriors |
| 2002 | Philadelphia | Rookies 103, Sophomores 97 | Golden State Warriors |
| 2001 | Washington | Sophomores 121, Rookies 113 | Minnesota Timberwolves |
| 2000 | Oakland | Rookies 92, Sophomores 83 (OT) | Chicago Bulls |
| 1998 | New York | East 85, West 80 | Cleveland Cavaliers |
| 1997 | Cleveland | East 96, West 91 | Philadelphia 76ers |
| 1996 | San Antonio | East 94, West 92 | Toronto Raptors |
| 1995 | Phoenix | White 83, Green 79 (OT) | Los Angeles Lakers |
| 1994 | Minneapolis | Phenoms 74, Sensations 68 | Orlando Magic |