The NBA's All-Star Weekend kicked off Friday with the Rising Stars event, featuring a twist: The winner of the tournament of first- and second-year NBA players (plus a G League representative) advances to participate in Sunday's All-Star Game.

We'll grade the competitors in events all weekend, starting with Friday's teams from the Rising Stars showcase. Check back after Saturday's events -- which feature the skills challenge, three-point contest, and dunk contest -- and then Sunday when the All-Star Game takes center stage with a new four-team format.

RISING STARS

Team C, selected and co-coached by Naismith Basketball Hall of Famer Chris Mullin, will advance to Sunday's NBA All-Star Game with WNBA legend Candace Parker taking over as honorary GM of what will become Team Candace.

On experience and talent, this team will be outclassed Sunday. But the players developed strong chemistry during two wins Friday, and if they play hard, they could present a challenge if their opponents (Shaq's OGs, featuring MVPs Stephen Curry, Kevin Durant and LeBron James) treat Sunday like an exhibition rather than a competition.

In her role as GM, Parker chose Amen Thompson to join Friday's winners for Sunday's game. Thompson was the right pick to complement this group and immediately becomes Team Candace's strongest player.

Here are the grades for each player from the four Rising Stars teams.

Winner: Team C

Honorary coach: Chris Mullin

Stephon Castle, G, San Antonio Spurs
Final: 12 points | 3 points | 2 assists
Semifinal: 6 points | 4 rebounds | 4 assists

Grade: A

What stood out: An easy choice as MVP, Castle scored nearly half of his team's 25 points in the final, getting Team C going after a slow start. Castle was equally active in the semifinal, where he distributed more than scored, including a touchdown pass to a streaking Jaylen Wells. He sent Team C to the finals with a pull-up step-back to reach the target score. He also had eight of the team's first 10 points en route to victory.

Ryan Dunn, F, Phoenix Suns
Final: 3 points | 1 block | 1 rebound
Semifinal: 2 points | 3 assists

Grade: B+

What stood out: Enjoying the opportunity to expand the 3-and-D role he usually plays for the Suns, Dunn had three assists in the semifinal -- matching his career high as a rookie. That included two passes to set up cutters at the rim. Dunn was less of a factor in the final but did knock down a 3 as part of the victory.

Zach Edey, C, Memphis Grizzlies
Final: 2 points | 2 rebounds
Semifinal: 4 points | 2 rebounds

Grade: B

What stood out: At 7-foot-4, Edey's size made him difficult to stop in this setting. He made three of his four shot attempts, including a hook in the post and a putback dunk to open the scoring in the final.

Keyonte George, G, Utah Jazz
Final: 3 points | 3 rebounds
Semifinal: 10 points | 2-4 3PT

Grade: B+

What stood out: Before making a 3 in the final to secure Team C's victory, George also had a key score in the semifinal. George got fouled while shooting and made two free throws to get Team C within one basket of winning. George made 3-of-7 from 3-point range and also got back on defense to steal an outlet pass with the win in the balance.

Trayce Jackson-Davis, F, Golden State Warriors
Final: 1 rebound
Semifinal: 6 points | 3-4 FG

Grade: B

What stood out: As a screener in pick-and-rolls, Jackson-Davis contributed in the final without making any impact in the box score. He got more opportunities to finish in the semifinal, going 3-of-4 from the field with a lob dunk in transition.

Dalton Knecht, G, Los Angeles Lakers
Final: 5 points | 2 rebounds
Semifinal: 7 points | 4 rebounds | 4 assists

Grade: B+

What stood out: Team C set up Knecht for a 3-pointer coming off a screen on the opening play of the semifinal. He finished with seven points and four assists, including a tomahawk dunk. Knecht found it tougher in the final, missing three of his five shots from deep, but had a scoop layup in transition and a deflection to set up a rare steal.

Jaylen Wells, F, Memphis Grizzlies
Final: 5 points | 2-5 FG
Semifinal: 5 points | 2 rebounds

Grade: B-

What stood out: The lone Team C starter to go scoreless in the final, Wells had a more memorable semifinal. He leaked out for a dunk set up by Castle and also made a deep 3-pointer, his only one of the night.

Runner-Up: Team G League

JD Davison, G, Maine Celtics
Final: 2 rebounds | 1 assist
Semifinal: 5 points | 2-5 FG

Grade: B-

What stood out: For one of the G League's leading scorers, it was a quiet night for Davison, who was scoreless in the final. He made a 3-pointer in the early stages of the semifinals and just one more basket the rest of the game, finishing 2-of-7 across both games from the field.

Mac McClung, G, Osceola Magic
Final: No major stats
Semifinal: 5 points | 2 assists

Grade: B-

What stood out: Team G League put the ball in McClung's hands early and he had a couple of assists, one of them to Leonard Miller for a dunk. Aside from a strong right-hand drive for a layup, however, McClung wasn't a major factor as a scorer. And the two-time defending dunk champion didn't give us any preview of his quest for a three-peat Saturday night.

Bryce McGowens, F, Rip City Remix
Final: 2 points
Semifinal: 12 points | 5-9 FG | 2-4 3PT

Grade: A-

What stood out: A 3-pointer from McGowens, who surprisingly had been on the bench for crunch time leading up to the final possession, sent Team G League to the final. McGowens had 12 points on 5-of-9 shooting overall in the semifinal, then came off the bench in the final, making his only shot attempt.

Leonard Miller, F, Iowa Wolves
5 points | 2 blocks | 2 assists
Semifinal: 14 points | 7 rebounds

Grade: A-

What stood out: The leading scorer for Team G League in the semifinal, Miller shot 7-of-9 from the field and led the team in rebounding. Miller was especially effective in transition, outrunning the defense, and also had a powerful dunk. Miller memorably made a 3-pointer over Edey in the final and also blocked a 3, but missed five of his seven shot attempts.

Dink Pate, G, Mexico City Capitanes
Final: 5 points | 2-6 FG
Semifinal: 4 points | 7 rebounds

Grade: B-

The lone draft-eligible player to participate Friday -- he's projected to go early in the second round by ESPN's Jonathan Givony and Jeremy Woo -- Pate flashed NBA-caliber athleticism but also showed room for improvement in his shot selection. Pate's powerful tip dunk was impressive, as was a runner over Edey. Overall, however, he shot 4-of-13 and made just one of five 3-point attempts, including two that missed the rim. Pate, 18, has time to develop his shot selection.

Reed Sheppard, G, Rio Grande Valley Vipers
Final: 0-1 FG
Semifinal: 2 assists | 0-3 FG

Grade: C-

What stood out: The No. 3 overall pick, playing for Team G League after putting up a 49-point outing in a brief three-game stint with the Vipers, wasn't as effective Friday night. Sheppard was quiet on offense and missed all four of his shot attempts. Though his team won, Sheppard will hear from Houston Rockets teammate Amen Thompson about getting beat in the post for a dunk.

Pat Spencer, G, Santa Cruz Warriors
Final: 2 points | 3 rebounds
Semifinal: 2 rebounds | 0-1 FG

Grade: C+

What stood out: After going scoreless with a turnover in the backcourt during the semifinal, Spencer bounced back as a starter in the final. He had three of Team G League's five offensive rebounds and cut backdoor for a layup.

Semifinalist: Team M

Matas Buzelis, F, Chicago Bulls
Semifinal: 4 points | 2 rebounds

Grade: C+

What stood out: We got the full Buzelis experience off the bench, highlighted by a powerful dunk and a steal that led to a pass over his back to Amen Thompson for a layup. On the flip side, Buzelis air-balled a 3-pointer and got out of control while driving late, resulting in a costly turnover.

Toumani Camara, F, Portland Trail Blazers
Semifinal: 8 points | 2 rebounds

Grade: B

What stood out: It was an eventful night for Camara, who made an early 3-pointer after a jab step and got Team M within one possession of victory by making three late free throws. In between, Camara couldn't finish twice after getting to the rim on nice cuts.

Bub Carrington, G, Washington Wizards
Semifinal: 5 points | 4 assists

Grade: A-

What stood out: Splitting time as the point guard, Carrington handed out a game-high four assists and made both shots he took -- one of them a 3-pointer.

Bilal Coulibaly, F, Washington Wizards
Semifinal: 4 points | 3 rebounds

Grade: B

What stood out: Playing alongside his Wizards teammate Carrington, Coulibaly showcased his athleticism on a couple of impressive plays. Coulibaly made a layup on a cut and later followed his miss to finish with a dunk. However, Coulibaly didn't have quite enough control midair to finish a lob from Amen Thompson for what could have been a spectacular dunk.

Julian Strawther, G, Denver Nuggets
Semifinal: 3 points | 2 points

Grade: C+

What stood out: Strawther shot three 3-pointers in his eight minutes, making one of them. Another attempt was wide right, hitting hard off the backboard.

Amen Thompson, F, Houston Rockets
Semifinal: 11 points | 5-6 FG

Grade: A-

What stood out: Despite three turnovers, Thompson would have been the MVP had his team won its semifinal. He scored a team-high 11 points on 5-of-6 shooting, including an unorthodox play where Thompson intended to set up his twin brother Ausar for a lob but made the shot instead. Amen Thompson also overpowered his Rockets teammate Reed Sheppard in the post for a dunk, and had another dunk to move Team M within a point of victory. The strategy was questionable: Team M would have won by making a 3 and never got the ball back.

Ausar Thompson, F, Detroit Pistons
Semifinal: 4 points | 2 assists

Grade: C-

What stood out: There were good moments for Thompson, who seemed to float to the basket to finish a dunk and drew a foul when his twin brother Amen was trying to lob him the ball. Ausar Thompson made that free throw to complete the three-point play, but missed all four late in the game.

Semifinalist: Team T

Honorary coach: Tim Hardaway

Anthony Black, G, Orlando Magic
Semifinal game: 4 points | 4 assists | 2-for-5

Grade: B

What stood out: Black handed out a team-high four assists, including a nice feed to Gradey Dick for a layup. Black also had a hard take for a layup but missed three shot attempts.

Tristan da Silva, F, Orlando Magic
Semifinal: 5 points | 2-2 FG

Grade: B+

What stood out: Coming off the bench, da Silva gave his team a nice lift. He quickly found teammate Black with a hit-ahead pass for a layup and knocked down a 3 in transition to make things interesting.

Gradey Dick, G, Toronto Raptors
Semifinal: 12 points | 5-7 FG

Grade: A

What stood out: Dick was the standout for the losing team in the first semifinal, scoring a game-high 12 points on 5-of-7 shooting. Dick knocked down a pair of 3s and also drove to the hoop for a layup after Dalton Knecht overplayed on the perimeter in pursuit of a steal.

Jaime Jaquez Jr., F, Miami Heat
Semifinal: 4 points | 2 rebounds

Grade: B-

What stood out: It was a quiet game for Jaquez, whose only bucket came on a wide-open 3 when the defense didn't close out on him after an offensive rebound. Jaquez also set up da Silva with a lookaway pass.

Brandin Podziemski, G, Golden State Warriors
Semifinal: 2 points | 3 assists

Grade: C

What stood out: Playing in front of home fans, Podziemski couldn't get much going. He handed out three assists, but missed three of his four shot attempts. The lone exception came when Podziemski snuck in for an offensive rebound and putback.

Zaccharie Risacher, F, Atlanta Hawks
Semifinal: 4 points | 2 rebounds

Grade: B

What stood out: The No. 1 overall pick missed his first two shot attempts, one of which came on an end-to-end drive, before getting in the scorebook with a dunk on a nice cut. He followed that with a difficult off-hand finish over Zach Edey.

Alex Sarr, C, Washington Wizards
Semifinal: 3 points | 1-2 FG

Grade: B-

What stood out: The 7-foot Sarr showed his versatility in the Rising Stars format. He brought the ball up and set up Gradey Dick's 3-pointer with a dribble handoff, then made a 3 with Zach Edey in his face. Sarr was less impactful as a traditional big, with just one rebound and no blocks.

The Los Angeles Dodgers' plan to use a six-man rotation this season is on hold until star right-hander Shohei Ohtani returns to the mound in May, according to team president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman.

Friedman told reporters Friday that five off days in April, combined with the Dodgers' depth in rotation candidates, can make the altered plan work.

Ohtani, the two-way standout who won his third MVP last season when he was limited to designated hitter duty due to his second Tommy John surgery, has not pitched since August 2023 with the Los Angeles Angels.

Two other locks for the rotation, right-handers Yoshinobu Yamamoto and newly signed Roki Sasaki, are former Japan stars who are accustomed to having an extra day of rest.

"I think we'll be able to fit whatever schedule makes sense for [Yamamoto and Sasaki]. With the off days and just the depth that we have, we'll be able to get creative," Friedman said.

Because of Ohtani's two-way status, he won't have to take up one of the Dodgers' 13 roster spots for pitchers. He and five other starters would still allow for an eight-man bullpen corps.

Los Angeles' star-studded rotation also will include newcomer Blake Snell, a left-hander who has won two Cy Young Awards in his nine-year career, and right-hander Tyler Glasnow.

Veteran right-handers Tony Gonsolin and Dustin May would be candidates for the final spot in the rotation, although May might begin the season in the bullpen as he tries to bounce back from multiple injuries, notably UCL and flexor surgery, the Orange County Register reported Friday.

Right-handers Bobby Miller and Landon Knack, who combined for 25 starts last season for the Dodgers, are additional possibilities for the rotation.

Newly re-signed left-hander Clayton Kershaw will begin the season on the 60-day injured list as he recovers from offseason surgery on his left knee and a left toe.

The Dodgers' first full-squad workout is set for Saturday, and the club's initial spring training game is set for Thursday against the Chicago Cubs. Those teams will begin the regular season against each other on March 18-19 in Tokyo.

British number two Cameron Norrie is out of the Delray Beach Open in Florida after a narrow straight sets defeat to Alex Michelsen in the quarter-finals.

There was just one break of serve in the entire match as American Michelsen, who was beaten by Norrie at the Dallas Open earlier this month, won 7-6 7-5 in one hour 39 minutes.

There was not even a break point in a tight first set, which third seed Michelsen won via a tie-break.

A decisive moment in the second set arrived in the ninth game when world number 37 Michelsen reeled off five winners in a row to save three set points level the set at 5-5.

Norrie, the 2022 winner, was unfortunate in the next game when a Michelsen forehand clipped the net cord and dropped just on Norrie's side of the court for a decisive break.

The American comfortably saw out his service game to set up a last-four match against Serbian seventh seed Miomir Kecmanovic.

Northampton Saints cruised into the quarter-finals of the Premiership Rugby Cup by thrashing Nottingham in a 10-try win at Lady Bay.

Saints needed a bonus point to secure qualification as pool winners, and achieved it inside the first half with five tries, despite The Archers taking the lead twice in the early stages.

Phil Dowson's side punished the hosts after a Jack Stapley yellow card, with Charlie Savala scoring a hat-trick as one of seven try scorers.

Despite a spirited effort from Nottingham, Northampton took complete control in the second half with five more tries.

Saints came into the game as heavy favourites, having won four of their five pool matches, with Nottingham winless.

Dowson picked a strong side to secure a place in the last eight, but it was the Championship side who made the early running.

Sam Green and Ryan Olowofela's early tries, either side of Savala's opening score, gave The Archers an early lead.

But after Stapley's sin-binning, Northampton took control with tries from Iakopo Mapu, George Hendy, Tom James and another from Savala to give them a comfortable lead at the break.

They sealed victory early in the second period, with Tom Litchfield and Rafe Witheat's scores, before dropping off in the latter stages.

A penalty try for the hosts, a February 14 try for Xavier Valentine, and Tom Threlfall's late score gave them a deserved bonus point, before Tom Seabrook and Archie Benson scored late for Northampton to give them a comfortable ten-try win.

Victory took them to 25 points in their pool, giving them a decent chance of a home quarter-final in a fortnight.

Stockdale's return to fitness comes at a time when fellow Irish internationals Stuart McCloskey and James Hume are also back after lengthy spells out.

McCloskey has been out with a hamstring injury suffered against Munster on 20 December, while his fellow centre Hume has yet to play competitively this season having sustained a serious knee injury against Cardiff last April.

"I feel the Queensland Reds game was good for a few of us who have been out to come back from long-term injuries," Stockdale said.

"It was nice for me to get back on the pitch, but it was good to see Hume and Stu (McCloskey) back again.

"There were a few busted lungs out there the first few minutes, but it was good."

The experienced trio are back to boost Ulster for their United Rugby Championship (URC) trip to Benetton on Saturday evening.

Richie Murphy's side have fallen to ninth in the standings and are returning to league action for the first time since their home defeat to Zebre on 26 January.

While Ulster have won just five of 14 games in all competitions this season, Stockdale believes there have been valuable lessons for the less experienced members of the squad.

"I think it is a learning year for younger guys, but also it is an opportunity to perform. Every time you step on the pitch it is an opportunity to perform.

"For those younger guys that are playing every week it is a baptism of fire, but something you have to get up to speed with.

"I think there is an opportunity for us to do the basic things better and hopefully over the next couple of weeks we will start to see that happen.

"The young lads who have come in have been really good, they're raw, they've a long way to go, but they've been pretty effective in their performances."

Ross McCann got Edinburgh level when it looked like the returning Emiliano Boffelli had hesitated too long with his pass, but the winger skipped back inside and boshed off a few defenders to score.

Zebre did not let up and crossed the line again as scrum-half Gonzalo Garcia sniped from the base of a ruck to dive over.

The visitors rightfully led at half-time and went further ahead when Giacomo Da Re knocked a penalty over to give Zebre a 10-point lead.

Edinburgh are known for being stronger in the second-half and they gave themselves hope when Ali Price zipped the ball to Mosese Tuipulotu and he crashed over for his first league score.

With the conversion added, it became a three-point game, but Zebre responded brilliantly and replacement Tommaso di Bartolomeo gladly fell over the line from the back of a rumbling maul.

Edinburgh put the pressure on, with Prisciantelli seeing yellow before Luke Crosbie crashed over from short range.

Guido Volpi was then sent off for a high shot on the Edinburgh captain and it seemed Sean Everitt's side would make their numbers count.

However, an unbelievable defensive effort from Zebre kept the hosts out and they held on for one of the most famous victories in their history.

Edinburgh: Goosen, Boffelli, Currie, Tuipulotu, McCann; Thompson, Price; Venter, Harrison, Rae, Sykes, Young, Crosbie, Watson, Currie.

Replacements: Morris, Hislop, Hill, Skinner, McConnell, Vellacott, Healy, Lang.

Zebre: Prisciantelli, Trulla, Paea, Mazza, Gregory; Da Re, Garcia; Buonfiglio, Bigi, Hasa, Canali, Krumov, Andreani, Stavile, Licata.

Replacements: Di Bartolomeo, Rizzoli, Pitinari, Volpi, Ferrari, Fusco, Montemauri, Morisi.

Ospreys: Jack Walsh; Daniel Kasende, Evardi Boshoff, Keiran Williams, Keelan Giles; Owen Williams, Reuben Morgan-Williams; Garyn Phillips, Ethan Lewis, Tom Botha, James Ratti, James Fender, Harri Deaves, Justin Tipuric (capt), Morgan Morris.

Replacements: Will Austin, Cam Jones, Ben Warren, Will Spencer, Morgan Morse, Kieran Hardy, Tom Florence, Iestyn Hopkins

Leinster: Jamie Osborne; Tommy O'Brien, Hugh Cooney, Charlie Tector, Jimmy O'Brien; Ciarán Frawley, Luke McGrath (capt); Jack Boyle, Gus McCarthy, Rabah Slimani, Diarmuid Mangany, Brian Deeny, Max Deegan, Scott Penny, James Culhane.

Replacements: John McKee, Paddy McCarthy, Rory McGuire, RG Snyman, Alex Soroka, Fintan Gunne, Ross Byrne, Andrew Osborne.

Referee: Filipo Russo (FIR)

Assistant referees: Ben Whitehouse & Adam Jones (WRU)

TMO: Matteo Liperini (FIR)

MONTREAL -- The storied USA-Canada hockey rivalry will be reintroduced -- and reignited -- when the two countries take center stage at the 4 Nations Face-Off on Saturday night.

It can't be defined as an ordinary game -- not for players who have waited a lifetime to be part of best-on-best hockey against their nation's greatest on-ice foe.

"This one's a big one, the biggest of my career," USA forward Dylan Larkin said. "Just watching [international games] as a kid with my family, it's like a holiday, it's like the Super Bowl for us. To be able to be a part of it, on a Saturday night in Montreal, it's perfect. It's just great."

The opportunity for NHL skaters to be involved in events such as the Olympics came to a halt after the 2014 Sochi Games and the 2016 World Cup of Hockey. Many of the league's current top stars were left wondering if they'd ever go toe-to-toe against the world's greatest players in tournaments like the ones they were raised on.

It's a reality now.

"I think it's going be the biggest game that I've ever played in my career," USA forward Brady Tkachuk said. "I'm really looking forward to that. There's a big buildup to it. USA vs. Canada is bigger than just the guys on the ice. There's so many people past, present and down the road [that it affects]. We've been talking about this game especially. It's going to be a long couple days [waiting] until it happens, but it'll be exciting."

Canada and the USA will enter Saturday night with one tournament win apiece -- the U.S. pounded Finland 6-1 on Thursday, and Canada outlasted a stubborn Swedish team 4-3 in overtime Wednesday.

Those appetizers will be nothing like the upcoming main event, though. There's unmatched history between these two countries that has found its way into the 4 Nations discourse already.

The most memorable chapter -- at least for most skaters now -- was the 2010 Olympics. Canada and the U.S. faced off in the gold medal game, and Canada let slip a 2-1 lead with less than a minute to play. In overtime, it was Sidney Crosby -- captain of Canada's 4 Nations team -- who scored the winner to down the Americans and send Canada home with gold.

Canadian forward Connor McDavid claims that as his favorite moment produced by these rival countries. He watched it happen then as a junior hockey player; now, for the first time at this level, he'll be counted on to help lead his nation to victory.

"It's what you dream of," McDavid said. "It's big; it's exciting. It's playing the Americans in Montreal. That's a big game."

Defenseman Drew Doughty was part of Canada's 2010 and 2014 gold medal Olympic teams. That has done nothing to dampen his passion for what's coming Saturday.

"The wait has just amplified [the rivalry]. It's made you more hungry. And I know that the Americans are feeling the same way about playing us. It's going to be a hard-fought game. I suggest everyone watches that one."

Canada defenseman Drew Doughty

"When you play the Americans, you want to beat them so bad," Doughty said. "And I still have this feeling at 35 years old, how bad [I] want to beat the Americans. They're a really good hockey team. ... It's going to be a tough battle. But this is probably the most exciting matchup of the tournament."

The world junior championships have provided a dose of elite-level best-on-best hockey in the years since that latest World Cup. But the men's rivalry was still simmering beneath the surface just waiting to be released again with this generation of talent.

"The wait has just amplified [the rivalry]," Doughty said. "It has made you more hungry. And I know that the Americans are feeling the same way about playing us. It's going to be a hard-fought game. I suggest everyone watches that one."

"There's no bigger rivalry than Canada-USA in hockey," Canada's Brad Marchand added. "They're the games that everybody dreams about playing growing up. They're memories that will last a lifetime. We're all really looking forward to it. Can't come quick enough."

Canada will have a distinct hometown advantage, a reaction the U.S. anticipated for every game it will play this tournament.

Still, there was some surprise that fans at Bell Centre booed the United States anthem when it was performed ahead of Thursday's game. That has become more of a trend around the league since President Donald Trump threatened -- and subsequently enforced -- significant tariffs on Canadian imports.

"I'm not going to get into that," Crosby said. "We respect the anthems; I'll leave it at that."

"I just kind of stay out of it," Doughty said. "I know what's going on, and I understand the Canadians' frustration, but I think we should respect the anthems. I don't think anyone should be booing."

Some fans might save that reaction for what happens during the game. Coaches, like players, are expecting to see the best out of their lineups for what is projected to be a tournament highlight. And no amount of practice time or conversation can prepare players for a potentially emotional night.

"There's a lot of pride," USA coach Mike Sullivan said. "There's a lot of familiarity on both sides. These guys play with and against each other in the NHL all the time. An event like this where it's best-on-best, I think it brings out the competitive spirit of both sides. The biggest difference is when you have the privilege to play in an event like this and represent your country, it has become something that's bigger than any individual. There's a responsibility to bring your best when you have the privilege to participate in these types of events.

"I would envision it being a real competitive hockey game."

That might be an understatement.

"Saturday night in Canada, against Canada -- I don't think there's much better than this for a hockey player of this level," Jake Guentzel said. "The crowd's going to be intense, it's going to be hostile, it's going to be all of the above, and it's going to be a lot of fun."

United States defensive midfielder James Sands is hoping a mid-season switch to Bundesliga side St. Pauli can help him earn a ticket to the World Cup next year.

The 24-year-old Sands, who joined St. Pauli on loan from New York City FC in January, has made six league appearances for his new team, and has played the full 90 minutes in his last three games, suggesting he has already become a key player for coach Alexander Blessin.

St. Pauli was promoted as second division champion last season, so Bundesliga survival is the goal for this campaign. Sands was one of four players to reinforce the squad over the winter, and his four starts for the club so far have yielded two wins and a draw.

"I think that speaks a lot to how quickly my teammates and the coaches here have helped me get on board with things," Sands told journalists in an online call this week. "It's a very good group here. We're really building in the right direction."

New York City FC's first academy pro, Sands has already made 13 appearances for the U.S., helping the team win the 2021 Gold Cup after making his debut in the opening game against Haiti. He started every game of the tournament thereafter.

But Sands hasn't made a national team appearance since the Gold Cup semifinal loss to Panama in July 2023, and he's keen to get involved again.

"Being a part of the World Cup team next year would be an amazing achievement," he said, noting "whether you get selected or not for the team is really out of your control. The only thing I can control is how I perform on a day-to-day basis with my club. And I think being consistent and putting in strong performances will hopefully get my name back in the mix."

Sands faces strong competition to win a place in Mauricio Pochettino's squad.

"There are a lot of talented players and a lot of them are playing in Europe. So I knew to have a realistic chance at the team, I would have to be competing at a very high level in Europe," he said.

Sands can also play in central defense, as he did when he helped New York City FC win the MLS Cup in 2021.

He joined Scottish club Rangers on loan for a year in January 2023 and is confident the experience there will help in Germany. Though he stressed the playing style is different, with Rangers usually dominating possession while St. Pauli will look to hit on counterattacks.

"I think being exposed to that many different styles and rhythms in the game only makes you a better player," Sands said.

St. Pauli, which is 14th in the 18-team division, next hosts Freiburg on Saturday.