NEW YORK – The BBVA Rising Stars Challenge, a game featuring the NBA’s best rookies and sophomores during NBA All-Star, will introduce several new elements this year, including fans serving as honorary captains for the game and voting to determine the game’s  starting lineups.  In addition, the fan vote to decide the BBVA Rising Stars Challenge Most Valuable Player will include Twitter voting for the first time.

Two fans will have the chance to be named honorary captains and sit behind their team’s bench during the game by entering an online sweepstakes to select the player that they think will be the number one pick of the BBVA Rising Stars Challenge Draft (NBA.com/risingstarssweeps). TNT analysts Charles Barkley and Shaquille O’Neal will again serve as the general managers of TEAM CHUCK and TEAM SHAQ and will draft their teams on Thursday, Feb. 7, televised exclusively on TNT at 7 p.m. ET. The names of the two fans chosen as the honorary captains of their teams will also be announced at this time.

During the game, which takes place the evening of Friday, Feb. 15, at NBA All-Star, fans will be able to vote for the MVP via Twitter, online and on mobile devices at NBA.com, through the NBA Game Time and NBA Game Time from Sprint apps, and SMS texting. This is the first time that fans will be able to vote via social media for the BBVA Rising Stars Challenge MVP, and with the NBA’s more than six million followers, fans on Twitter will be in good company as they discuss the game and potential MVP candidates.

“The BBVA Rising Stars Challenge will once again showcase the bright future of basketball,” said Sheiludis Moyett, BBVA Global Sponsorship and Content Director. “This is a great opportunity for us to support these young players alongside their many fans.”

“Our fans are some of the most passionate in the world,” said Emilio Collins, NBA Senior Vice President of Global Marketing Partnerships. “We’re excited to work with BBVA in developing innovative ways for fans to have a meaningful voice in an event that celebrates the best young players in the game.”

 The BBVA Rising Stars Challenge features two teams each consisting of nine rookies and sophomores mixed together, drafted from a pool that will be selected by the NBA’s assistant coaches. Following the announcement of each team on Feb. 7, for the first time ever fans will be able to vote online from both their computer and mobile device for the starters of each team. The starting lineups will be determined by the players garnering the top votes for their respective positions, with two backcourt and three frontcourt spots for each team. The announcement of the starting lineup will be made in broadcast and in-arena on the night of the game.

 The pool of players will be announced on Jan. 30, followed by the BBVA Rising Stars Challenge Draft on Thursday evening, Feb. 7, televised exclusively on TNT at 7 p.m. ET. The BBVA Rising Stars Challenge will be televised live nationally on TNT at 9 p.m. ET on Feb. 15 and also will be broadcast live on ESPN Radio, while NBA.com will make live audio available to fans in multiple languages.

NBA All-Star brings together the top NBA players and performers for a week of competition, community service and world-class entertainment. Among the many other exciting All-Star events is the State Farm All-Star Saturday Night featuring Sears Shooting Stars, Taco Bell Skills Challenge, Foot Locker Three-Point Contest, and Sprite Slam Dunk. Other events at NBA All-Star 2013 include the Sprint NBA All-Star Celebrity Game and NBA All-Star Jam Session.

About BBVA Group

BBVA Compass is a subsidiary of BBVA Compass Bancshares Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of BBVA (NYSE: BBVA) (MAD: BBVA). BBVA is a customer-centric global financial services group founded in 1857. The Group has a solid position in Spain, is the largest financial institution in Mexico, and has leading franchises in South America and the Sunbelt region of the United States. Its diversified business is geared toward high-growth markets and relies on technology as a key sustainable competitive advantage. BBVA ranks among the leading eurozone banks in terms of return on equity and efficiency. Corporate responsibility is at the core of its business model. BBVA fosters financial education and inclusion, and supports scientific research and culture. It operates with the highest integrity, a long-term vision and applies best practices. More information about the BBVA Group can be found at www.bbva.com.

About NBA All-Star 2013

NBA All-Star 2013 in Houston will bring together some of the most talented and passionate players in the league’s history for a global celebration of the game. The 62^nd NBA All-Star Game, which will take place on Sunday, Feb. 17 at Toyota Center, will reach fans in more than 200 countries and territories in more than 40 languages. TNT will televise the All-Star Game for an 11^th consecutive year, marking Turner Sports’ 29^th year of All-Star coverage. State Farm All-Star Saturday Night will feature Sears Shooting Stars, Taco Bell Skills Challenge, Foot Locker Three-Point Contest, and Sprite Slam Dunk. Other events at NBA All-Star 2013 will include the BBVA Rising Stars Challenge, NBA Development League All-Star Game, Sprint NBA All-Star Celebrity Game, and NBA All-Star Jam Session. Houston also hosted NBA All-Star in 2006 and 1989.