{"id":608977,"date":"2026-02-18T01:37:03","date_gmt":"2026-02-18T01:37:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/608977\/"},"modified":"2026-02-18T01:37:03","modified_gmt":"2026-02-18T01:37:03","slug":"wiz-kids-laud-kareem-abdul-jabbar-oscar-robertson-vince-carter-on-friday","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/608977\/","title":{"rendered":"\u2018Wiz Kids\u2019 laud Kareem-Abdul Jabbar, Oscar Robertson, Vince Carter on Friday"},"content":{"rendered":"

INGLEWOOD \u2014 Friday night’s Castrol Rising Stars Challenge was a showcase of the Washington Wizards<\/a>‘ young core, as rookie guard Tre Johnson and second-year guard Bub Carrington competed for Team T-Mac (Tracy McGrady), while second-year forward Kyshawn George<\/a> competed for Team Vince (Carter). However, the \u201cWiz Kids\u201d got more benefits than just playing on the court at All-Star Weekend<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Tre Johnson revealed that NBA legends<\/a> Kareem Abdul-Jabbar<\/a> and Oscar Robertson<\/a> spoke to the Rising Stars, via Monumental Sports Network’s Chase Hughes.<\/p>\n

Tre Johnson told @chasedcsports<\/a> that Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Oscar Robertson talked to the Rising Stars, so I asked him what stands out about their games (thread):<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s different but it\u2019s effective. They were effective in their own ways. That\u2019s really all it is, no matter how\u2026 pic.twitter.com\/azbg90kEUZ<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Joshua Valdez (@joshvaldez100) February 14, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

\u201cThey was talking about their experiences in the league, the ups and downs,\u201d the 19-year-old revealed.<\/p>\n

He also told ClutchPoints what stands out about their games.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s different but it\u2019s effective. They were effective in their own ways,\u201d he said. \u201cThat\u2019s really all it is, no matter how it looks or how you get it done, just being effective.\u201d<\/p>\n

Abdul-Jabbar and Robertson were nothing if not effective. Abdul-Jabbar is a six-time NBA MVP, two-time NBA Finals MVP, four-time blocks leader, and is second only to LeBron James on the all-time scoring list. Meanwhile, Robertson is a six-time assists leader, an 11-time All-NBA honoree, and is second all-time in triple-doubles.<\/p>\n

Learning about ups and downs from players of that caliber can only have a positive effect on young hoopers like Johnson, George, and Carrington. They’ve each experienced bumps in the road during their time with the Wizards so far, but that’s an unavoidable part of the journey.<\/p>\n

Johnson also revealed his thoughts on Abdul-Jabbar’s signature move.<\/p>\n

\u201cI feel like Kareem\u2019s sky hook could still be used,\u201d the former Texas Longhorn said. \u201cProbably not as much, but I still haven\u2019t seen nobody really block it.\u201d<\/p>\n

It remains to be seen whether Johnson will start draining sky hooks like Abdul-Jabbar, but the point is that the legends of past generations are still helpful to learn from. While the \u201cWiz Kids\u201d play in an era heavier on floor spacing and three-point shooting than their older counterparts, all-time greats can give insight into how to adjust and excel while experiencing ups and downs.<\/p>\n

Wizards’ Kyshawn George talks up Vince Carter<\/a> after winning Rising Stars<\/p>\n

Johnson and Carrington’s night ended early on Friday, as Team T-Mac lost to Team Vince 41-36 in the second game. But Johnson did hit a highlight-reel three over George, a reminder of his limitless range<\/a> on the national stage.<\/p>\n

LET IT FLY TRE \ud83c\udfaf pic.twitter.com\/gYMgM3h5ry<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Washington Wizards (@WashWizards) February 14, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

George got the last laugh, as he and Team Vince beat Team Melo (Carmelo Anthony) 25-24 in the final round. The former Miami Hurricane finished with a combined eight points (4-8 FG, 0-4 3-point), six rebounds, five assists, and one steal over 19 minutes on Friday.<\/p>\n

George opened up on what it was like to be coached<\/a> by Carter, via Monumental Sports Network’s Bijan Todd.<\/p>\n

@bijan_todd<\/a> asked Kyshawn George what it was like being coached by Vince Carter at Rising Stars, so I asked him what he liked about Vince\u2019s game growing up: <\/p>\n

\u201cHis athleticism. His dunks were really graceful. And the way he changed his game over time. He was known as a dunker,\u2026 pic.twitter.com\/LO5hmjvCXe<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Joshua Valdez (@joshvaldez100) February 14, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

\u201cIt was fun. I actually watched him a lot growing up, a lot of highlight tapes,\u201d the 2024 first-round pick said. \u201cJust being able to be in that environment with great players was fun.\u201d<\/p>\n

George also told ClutchPoints what he liked about Carter’s game.<\/p>\n

\u201cJust his athleticism. His dunks were really graceful,\u201d the Swiss-Canadian said. \u201cAnd the way he changed his game over time. He was known as a dunker, and then he expanded his game to more shooting and playmaking.\u201d<\/p>\n

Carter played from 1998 to 2020 and was an eight-time All-Star, two-time All-NBA honoree, and the 1999 Rookie of the Year. The Florida native emerged as a global star for his dunking ability during his time with the Toronto Raptors from 1998 to 2004 and is 11th all-time in three-pointers made.<\/p>\n

Being coached by a former player of that caliber, especially one that he looked up to as a kid, is the type of full-circle moment that George earned through his play with the Wizards thus far. The 22-year-old is already one of the most well-rounded players on the team, as he’s averaging 15.1 points on 44.1 percent shooting (37.7 percent 3-point) with 5.4 rebounds, 4.8 assists, and two \u201cstocks\u201d (steals and blocks) over 30.1 minutes thus far.<\/p>\n

Johnson (38.6 percent 3-point) and Carrington (39.3 percent 3-point) have also excelled from deep, which is a necessary trait to survive in today’s league. But the best \u201cWiz Kid\u201d has been second-year big man Alex Sarr (hamstring)<\/a>, who missed the Rising Stars Challenge due to injury. The native Frenchman is averaging 17.8 points on 49.6 percent shooting (33.6 percent 3-point) and is tied for second in the NBA with two blocks per game over 28.2 minutes.<\/p>\n

The objective for Washington for the rest of this season is to continue developing the young core while losing enough games to keep its top-eight protected lottery pick this summer. Up next are back-to-back home games against the Indiana Pacers on Thursday and Friday before hosting the Charlotte Hornets on Sunday.<\/p>\n