The NBA has unveiled the teams for the 2026 Rising Stars Game following a live draft by Hall of Famers Carmelo Anthony, Vince Carter and Tracy McGrady. The event features 21 rookies and sophomores divided into three squads, plus a G League team, set to compete in a mini-tournament on February 13 in Inglewood, California. Cooper Flagg was the top pick for Team Carmelo.
The draft for the 2026 NBA Rising Stars Game took place on January 27, live on NBC and Peacock, assigning 21 top rookies and sophomores to teams coached by NBA legends. Carmelo Anthony selected Dallas Mavericks forward Cooper Flagg first overall, followed by Houston Rockets guard Reed Sheppard and San Antonio Spurs guard Stephon Castle, who was last year's MVP. Team Carmelo also includes Dylan Harper and Jeremiah Fears of the Spurs and Pelicans, respectively, Portland Trail Blazers center Donovan Clingan, and Toronto Raptors forward Collin Murray-Boyles, a standout rookie averaging 7.8 points and 5.1 rebounds per game after being drafted ninth overall in 2025—the first first-round Gamecock pick since 2006. Team Vince Carter features Philadelphia 76ers guard VJ Edgecombe, New Orleans Pelicans center Derik Queen (picked fourth overall), Washington Wizards guards Kyshawn George and Tre Johnson, Chicago Bulls forward Matas Buzelis, Brooklyn Nets guard Egor Dëmin, and Memphis Grizzlies players Cedric Coward (14 points, 6 rebounds per game) and Jaylen Wells. Team Tracy McGrady rounds out with Charlotte Hornets guard Kon Knueppel, Miami Heat center Kel'el Ware (first sophomore selected for rim protection), Oklahoma City Thunder guard Ajay Mitchell, Cleveland Cavaliers forward Jaylon Tyson, and Grizzlies guard Cam Spencer (12 points, 46% from three-point range). The G League team, coached by Austin Rivers, includes Salt Lake City Stars guard Sean East II, Maine Celtics forward Ron Harper Jr., Austin Spurs forward David Jones Garcia, San Diego Clippers forward Yanic Konan Niederhäuser, Raptors 905 guard Alijah Martin (18.6 points per game, first FAU alum selected), Rio Grande Valley Vipers guard Tristen Newton, and Rip City Remix center Yang Hansen. The mini-tournament at Intuit Dome starts with two semifinals to 40 points each, followed by a championship to 25 points, airing at 9 p.m. ET on Peacock as part of All-Star Weekend.
