Pelicans’ Yves Missi Shines, Earns Rising Stars Game Spot

NEW ORLEANS, La. — New Orleans Pelicans rookie center Yves Missi has quickly emerged as one of the NBA‘s most promising young talents, earning a spot in the 2025 Rising Stars Game during NBA All-Star Weekend in San Francisco. The rosters were announced Tuesday, marking the sixth consecutive year the Pelicans have had at least one player selected for the event.

Missi, drafted 21st overall in the 2024 NBA Draft, has exceeded expectations in his debut season. The 20-year-old has started 36 of 44 games, averaging 9 points, 8 rebounds, and 1.5 blocks per game. His standout performances include a 23-point, 12-rebound game against the Atlanta Hawks and a five-block effort against the Los Angeles Clippers in December.

“He’s just scratching the surface of where we think he can end up,” Pelicans coach Willie Green said in January. “I try not to put a ceiling on these young guys when they come in.”

Missi’s rapid development has been particularly impressive given the level of competition he has faced. In December, he went head-to-head with some of the league’s elite centers, including Nikola Jokic, Karl-Anthony Towns, and Victor Wembanyama. His performance earned him Western Conference Rookie of the Month honors.

“It’s like a dream coming true, to be honest,” Missi said in January. “It’s always good just having to go coast to coast against them and see what I saw on TV when I was younger.”

The Rising Stars Game, scheduled for Feb. 14, will feature 10 rookies and 10 second-year players. Missi is one of only two players selected from outside the top 20 picks in the 2024 draft, alongside Memphis Grizzlies’ Jaylen Wells.

Meanwhile, the Pelicans have rescheduled several games due to weather-related postponements. Their matchup against the Milwaukee Bucks, originally set for last Wednesday, will now take place on April 6 at the Smoothie King Center. Additionally, their game against the Denver Nuggets on Feb. 5 has been moved to 8 p.m. and will air locally on the Gulf Coast Sports & Entertainment Network.

Missi and the Pelicans will face the Dallas Mavericks on Wednesday at 7 p.m. CT at the Smoothie King Center, where fans will get another chance to see the rising star in action.