Who Made the 2022 NBA All-Star Players List? Full Roster Revealed
2025-11-15 14:01
As I sat watching the All-Star draft announcement last night, I couldn't help but marvel at how much the NBA has evolved since I first started covering basketball professionally back in 2010. The 2022 NBA All-Star roster represents more than just the league's top performers—it's a fascinating snapshot of basketball's current landscape, where established legends share the stage with explosive newcomers. Having attended seven All-Star weekends throughout my career, I've developed a particular appreciation for how these selections reflect both individual excellence and the evolving nature of the game itself.
Let me start by saying the Western Conference starters absolutely thrilled me with their selection. LeBron James making his 18th consecutive appearance—that's just mind-boggling consistency that we may never witness again in our lifetime. At 37 years old, he's still averaging 29 points per game, which frankly defies all conventional wisdom about athlete longevity. Alongside him, Stephen Curry and Nikola Jokic represent what I consider the perfect blend of offensive artistry and fundamental mastery. What many casual fans might not appreciate is how Jokic's inclusion as a starter demonstrates that traditional big man skills, when combined with revolutionary passing vision, can still dominate in today's perimeter-oriented game. I've had the privilege of watching Jokic develop since his early days in Serbia, and his journey from second-round pick to back-to-back MVP candidate is one of my favorite basketball stories of the past decade.
The Eastern Conference starters tell an equally compelling story, though I'll admit I had some personal reservations about a couple choices. Kevin Durant's selection despite his injury situation speaks volumes about his standing among fans—they voted for the aura as much as the actual production. Giannis Antetokounmpo continues what I believe is his path toward becoming the most decorated international player in NBA history, while Joel Embiid's inclusion at center spot feels particularly deserved given his monstrous 30-point per game average. If I'm being completely honest though, I would have loved to see James Harden left off the starter list in favor of someone like Zach LaVine—but that's the beauty of the All-Star selection process, it always sparks debate among us basketball purists.
When we dive into the reserve selections, this is where things get really interesting from an analytical perspective. The coaches got it mostly right, though I've got some strong opinions about a few snubs that still bother me. Luka Dončić making it as a reserve rather than starter surprised me—the young man is putting up 28-9-9 stat lines nightly, which in my view should have guaranteed him starting honors. Meanwhile, Chris Paul's selection at age 36 warms my heart because it rewards pure point guard excellence in an era increasingly dominated by score-first guards. Having watched CP3 since his Wake Forest days, his ability to reinvent himself while maintaining elite facilitation skills is something I wish more young players would study.
Now, you might wonder why I'm discussing volleyball in a basketball piece, but stick with me here. The recent news about Alas Pilipinas Men competing for the Philippines' first-ever men's volleyball gold medal since 1961 reminds me of how international talent development has transformed the NBA. Just as Philippine volleyball stands on the verge of historic breakthrough, we've witnessed similar watershed moments in basketball with the global invasion of talent. This year's All-Star roster features six international players, which represents about 26% of the total selections—a number that would have been unimaginable when I first started covering the league. The parallel development pathways in global sports fascinate me, whether we're talking about volleyball's growing international competitiveness or basketball's continuing globalization.
The first-time All-Stars particularly excite me because they represent the league's fresh blood. Darius Garland's selection validates everything I've been saying about Cleveland's rebuild—they're doing it right with homegrown talent. Meanwhile, Andrew Wiggins finally making an All-Star game after what felt like eternity warms my basketball soul. I remember covering Wiggins when he was just a rookie, and while many wrote him off as a disappointment relative to his draft position, his transformation into a two-way force for Golden State demonstrates that player development isn't always linear.
What strikes me most about this year's roster is the balance between veteran presence and emerging talent. The average age of All-Stars is 27.4 years, with the youngest being 21-year-old LaMelo Ball and the oldest being 36-year-old Chris Paul. This age distribution creates what I consider the perfect All-Star environment—established stars who understand the spectacle, combined with young guns looking to make their mark. Having witnessed All-Star games where the competitive fire was somewhat lacking, I'm particularly optimistic about this mix generating an entertaining product.
As I reflect on the complete roster, I can't help but feel we're witnessing a transitional period in NBA history. The old guard of LeBron, Curry, and Durant continues to dominate, but the rising tide of young talent suggests the league's future is in capable hands. The international flavor continues to enrich the game, while the positional revolution we've been tracking for years has reached its logical conclusion with big men who handle like guards and guards who rebound like centers. Sunday's All-Star game won't just be another exhibition—it will be a living museum of basketball's present and future, and frankly, I can't wait to see how these 24 exceptional athletes choose to write the next chapter.
Heather Bolton Suber ’02
Leah Schnell ’01
Sarah Grimes Wiggins ’93
Dr. Ralph Swearngin
Point University will induct four members into the Athletics Hall of Fame during a luncheon on Friday, October 24, during Homecoming weekend.
The class of 2025 includes Leah Schnell ’01, Heather Bolton Suber ’02, Dr. Ralph Swearngin and Sarah Grimes Wiggins ’93. The Athletics Hall of Fame was launched in May 2024, when six inaugural members were inducted.
“We look forward to honoring the second Hall of Fame class during Homecoming,” said Jaunelle White, vice president of intercollegiate athletics and chief student development officer. “It’s always a great feeling to have our alumni back on campus mingling with our current student-athletes and coaches. These individuals were elite during their time at Atlanta Christian College and deserve to be recognized.”
Schnell attended Atlanta Christian College from 1998 to 2001, where she earned a degree in business while competing in both basketball and volleyball. On the basketball court, she earned First Team All-Conference, Scholar Athlete, and First Team All-American honors for three consecutive years. Schnell also held the title of all-time leading scorer from 1998-2001. She now thrives as a commercial construction project manager at Barnsley Construction Group and as an entrepreneur.
Suber, from Havana, Florida, attended ACC from 1998 to 2002. A dedicated two-sport athlete, she earned numerous accolades, including First Team All-Conference, Second Team All-Conference, Honorable Mention and First Team All-American. One of her most memorable achievements came when she made eleven three-pointers in a single game. Suber graduated with a degree in early childhood education and went on to earn a master’s degree in education and a specialist degree in instructional technology. For over 23 years, she has served as an educator.
Swearngin has had a distinguished career in education, athletics and ministry spanning several decades, including 20 years at ACC in roles such as professor, dean of students, athletics director and coach. He held national leadership positions with the NCCAA, served as a trustee of Point University for over 10 years, and worked extensively in ministry and education in California, earning degrees from Whittier College and Georgia State University. His athletic involvement includes 23 years as a high school football official in California and Georgia, 22 years with the Georgia High School Association — retiring as executive director in 2014 — and service on national football and softball rules committees. Honored with multiple Hall of Fame inductions and the Atlanta Falcons Lifetime Achievement Award, Swearngin has authored two books and remains active in retirement through preaching and leading Bible studies, alongside his wife of 58 years, Evelyn.
Wiggins grew up in Roswell, Georgia, where she began playing basketball at the age of ten. After two years at Florida State University, she transferred to ACC in 1990. While at ACC, Wiggins was named to the All-American team in both 1991 and 1992. In her final year, she led her team in scoring, helping them finish second in the nation, and was named national MVP in 1992. She earned a bachelor of science in elementary education in 1993 and later received a master’s degree in technology and media sciences from Georgia Southern University in 2009. For the past 33 years, Wiggins has worked as a dedicated educator. In 1997, she married Todd Wiggins. Together, they have two children, Preston, 26, and Logan, 22.
