The top rookies headlined the Rising Stars teams after the draft
The stage is set for The NBA’s Rising Stars Challenge at All-Star Weekend next month in Los Angeles after Tuesday’s player draft.
Three coaches, NBA legends Vince Carter, Tracy McGrady and Carmelo Anthony, formed their teams made up of top freshmen and sophomores.
Also, a team made up of G League players is part of the mini-tournament. It will be handled by former NBA guard Austin Rivers.
Dallas Mavericks forward Cooper Flagg went to Team Melo as the No. 1 pick. Joining him on the team are San Antonio Spurs guards Stephon Castle and Dylan Harper, Houston Rockets guard Reed Shepard, New Orleans Pelicans Jeremiah Fiers, Portland Trail Blazers center Donovan Klingan and Toronto Raptors forward Colin Murray-Boyles.
Team T-Mac picked second and chose the Charlotte Hornets guard Knuppel could. He will play alongside Washington Wizards teammates Alex Sara and Tre Johnson, Miami Heat center Kelleher Ware, Oklahoma City Thunder guard Ajay Mitchell, Memphis Grizzlies Kam Spencer and Cleveland Cavaliers Jaylon Tyson.
Tim Carter, meanwhile, selected the Philadelphia 76ers quarterback VJ Edgecombe as the 3rd spade. The rest of the team consists of Grizzlies wings Cedric Coward and Jalen Wells, Pelicans center Derrick Quinn, Wizards forward Kyshawn George, Chicago Bulls forward Matas Buzzelis and Brooklyn Nets guard Egor Demin.
Here are the teams for Castrol Riding Stars 2026:
Team Carter: VJ Edgecombe, Derrick Queen, Matas Bouzelis, Kishawn George, Egor Demin, Cedric Coward, Jailen Wells
Team T-Mac: Kon Knueppel, Kel’el Ware, Tre Johnson, Alec Sarr, Ajay Mitchell, Jailon Tison, Cam Spencer
The team… https://t.co/ZoUK7mNvIS
— Brett Siegel (@BrettSiegelNBA) January 28, 2026
Four teams will compete in a three-game tournament at the Intuit Dome. Two elimination games will be played to a target score of 40 points, while the championship game will be played to a target score of 25 points.
Last year, the team coached by NBA icon Chris Mullin hosted the Rising Stars Challenge, and Castle was named the MVP.
2026-01-28 01:41:00
