The NBA has presented the complete rosters of the Castrol Rising Stars 2026, an event that every year puts the spotlight on the best young players in the league ahead of the All-Star Weekend.
The mini-tournament will take place on Friday 13 February at the Intuit Dome in Los Angeles – the Clippers’ “den” – and will feature 3 matches between 4 teams.
I “Rookie”
Nel gruppo dei rookie selezionati sono presenti Cedric Coward (Memphis Grizzlies), Egor Demin (Brooklyn Nets), VJ Edgecombe (Philadelphia 76ers), Jeremiah Fears (New Orleans Pelicans), Cooper Flagg (Dallas Mavericks), Dylan Harper (San Antonio Spurs), Tre Johnson (Washington Wizards), Kon Knueppel (Charlotte Hornets), Collin Murray‑Boyles (Toronto Raptors) e Derik Queen (New Orleans Pelicans).
Among the freshmen, however, the names stand out: Kon Knueppel, who averaged 18.9 points, 5.5 rebounds and 3.5 assists with excellent field goal percentages, Edgecombe, author of 15.6 points, 5.3 rebounds and 4.2 assists, and Cooper Flagg, already considered one of the promising stars of the NBA thanks to his 18.8 points, 6.4 rebounds and 4.1 assists in 43 games.
I “Sophomores”
Sophomores will include Matas Buzelis (Chicago Bulls), Stephon Castle (San Antonio Spurs), Donovan Clingan (Portland Trail Blazers), Kyshawn George (Washington Wizards), Ajay Mitchell (Oklahoma City Thunder), Alex Sarr (Washington Wizards), Reed Sheppard (Houston Rockets), Cam Spencer (Memphis Grizzlies), Jaylon Tyson (Cleveland Cavaliers) and Kel’el Ware (Miami Heat). with Jaylen Wells (Memphis Grizzlies) rounding out the group. Among sophomore players, Sarr is producing 17.4 points and 7.3 rebounds on over 50% shooting, while Castle is contributing 16.6 points, 7 rebounds and 4.1 assists. Buzelis remains solid with 14.9 points and 5.2 rebounds.
The G League Rising Stars roster will also include Sean East II (Salt Lake City Stars), Ron Harper Jr. (Maine Celtics), David Jones Garcia (Austin Spurs), Yanic Konan Niederhauser (San Diego Clippers), Alijah Martin (Raptors 905), Tristen Newton (Rio Grande Valley Vipers) and Yang Hansen (Rip City Remix). Among the most productive stand out Jones Garcia, who is putting together 27 points, 6.9 rebounds and 3.6 assists, and Newton, who averages 26.4 points, 4.4 rebounds and 6 assists.
The teams will be led by three NBA Hall of Fame legends, Carmelo Anthony, Vince Carter and Tracy McGrady, while Austin Rivers will be at the helm of the G League team.
Worth a look
