‘Wiz Kids’ praise Kareem-Abdul Jabbar, Oscar Robertson, Vince Carter on Friday

INGLEWOOD – Friday night’s Castrol Rising Stars Challenge was a showcase for the Washington Wizards’ young core, as rookie guard Trey Johnson and second-year guard Bub Carrington competed for Team T-Mac (Tracy McGrady), while second-year forward Keyshawn George competed for Team Vince (Carter). However, the “Wiz Kids” benefited more from playing on the court at All-Star Weekend.

Trey Johnson revealed that NBA legends Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Oscar Robertson spoke to Rising Stars via Chase Hughes of Monumental Sports Network.

Trey Johnson told @chasedcsports Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Oscar Robertson talked to Rising Stars, so I asked them what’s so special about their game (thread):

“It’s different but it’s effective. They were effective in their own way. That’s really all it takes, no matter what… pic.twitter.com/azbg90kEUZ

-Joshua Valdez (@joshvaldez100) 14 February 2026

“They were talking about their experiences in the league, their ups and downs,” the 19-year-old revealed.

He also told ClutchPoints what is special about his games.

“It’s different but it’s effective. They were effective in their own way,” he said. “It’s really all about it, it doesn’t matter what it looks like or how you do it, it just has to be effective.”

Abdul-Jabbar and Robertson were nothing if not effective. Abdul-Jabbar is a six-time NBA MVP, two-time NBA Finals MVP, four-time block leader, and is second to LeBron James on the all-time scoring list. Robertson, meanwhile, is a six-time assists leader, 11-time All-NBA honoree, and second in triple-doubles.

Learning about the ups and downs from players at that level could have a positive impact on young hoopers like Johnson, George and Carrington. Each of them have experienced bumps in the road during their tenure with the Wizards so far, but that’s an inevitable part of the journey.

Johnson also expressed his thoughts on Abdul-Jabbar’s signing move.

“I think Kareem’s sky hook can still be used,” the former Texas Longhorn said. “Maybe not as much, but I still haven’t seen anyone actually stop it.”

It remains to be seen if Johnson will start skyrocketing like Abdul-Jabbar, but the point is that legends from previous generations are still helpful to learn from. While the “Wiz Kids” play in an era heavier on floor spacing and three-point shooting than their older counterparts, the all-time greats can offer insight into how they can adjust and excel while experiencing ups and downs.

Wizards’ Keyshawn George talks to Vince Carter after Rising Stars win

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 hit a highlight-reel three over George reminds of its limitless limits On the national stage.

Let it fly three times🎯 pic.twitter.com/gYMgM3h5ry

– Washington Wizards (@WashWizards) 14 February 2026

George got the last laugh when he and Team Vince defeated 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 in 19 minutes on Friday.

Via Monumental Sports Network’s Bijan Todd, George described what it was like to be coached by Carter.

@bijan_todd Asked Keyshawn George what it was like to be coached by Vince Carter in the Rising Stars, I asked him what he liked most about Vince’s game growing up:

“His athleticism. His dunks were really beautiful. And the way he changed his game over time. He was known as a dunker,… pic.twitter.com/LO5hmjvCXe

-Joshua Valdez (@joshvaldez100) 14 February 2026

“It was fun. I really watched him grow up, a lot of highlight tape,” the 2024 first-round pick said. “It was fun to be in that environment with great players.”

George also told ClutchPoints what he likes about Carter’s game.

“Just his athleticism. His dunks were really great,” the Swiss-Canadian said. “And 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.”

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 ranks 11th all-time in three-pointers made.

Being coached by a former player of that caliber, especially one he looked up to as a kid, is the kind of full-circle moment that George has earned through his play with the Wizards so far. The 22-year-old is already one of the team’s best players, as he’s averaging 15.1 points on 44.1 percent shooting (37.7 percent 3-point play) with 5.4 rebounds, 4.8 assists and two “stakes” (steal and block) in 30.1 minutes so far.

Johnson (38.6 percent 3-point) and Carrington (39.3 percent 3-point) have also excelled from deep, an essential trait to survive in today’s league. But the best “Wiz Kid” has been second-year big man Alex Saar (hamstring), who missed the Rising Stars Challenge due to injury. The French native is averaging 17.8 points on 49.6 percent shooting (33.6 percent 3-point shooting) and is second in the NBA with two blocks per game in 28.2 minutes.

Washington’s objective for the rest of this season is to continue developing the young core while losing enough games to keep their top-eight protected lottery selection this summer. They are scheduled to play back-to-back home games against the Indiana Pacers on Thursday and Friday before hosting the Charlotte Hornets on Sunday.