Standout rookies Cooper Flagg and Kon Knueppel were the top two picks in the 2026 Castrol Rising Stars draft.
The 2026 Castrol Rising Stars were drafted to three teams Tuesday with Dallas Mavericks rookie Cooper Flagg, Charlotte Hornets rookie Kon Knueppel and Philadelphia 76ers rookie VJ Edgecombe selected in the first round by honorary coaches Carmelo Anthony, Tracy McGrady and Vince Carter.
The three teams of top NBA rookies and sophomores will compete against a G League squad in a mini-tournament Friday, Feb. 13 (9 ET, Peacock) at the LA Clippersโ Intuit Dome as part of NBA All-Star 2026.
Team Melo
Cooper Flaggย (Dallas Mavericks)
Reed Sheppardย (Houston Rockets)
Stephon Castleย (San Antonio Spurs)
Dylan Harperย (San Antonio Spurs)
Jeremiah Fearsย (New Orleans Pelicans)
Donovan Clinganย (Portland Trail Blazers)
Collin Murray-Boylesย (Toronto Raptors)
Team T-Mac
Kon Knueppelย (Charlotte Hornets)
Kelโel Wareย (Miami Heat)
Tre Johnsonย (Washington Wizards)
Alex Sarrย (Washington Wizards)
Ajay Mitchellย (Oklahoma City Thunder)
Jaylon Tysonย (Cleveland Cavaliers)
Cam Spencerย (Memphis Grizzlies)
Team Vince
VJ Edgecombeย (Philadelphia 76ers)
Derik Queenย (New Orleans Pelicans)
Kyshawn Georgeย (Washington Wizards)
Matas Buzelisย (Chicago Bulls)
Egor Dัminย (Brooklyn Nets)
Cedric Cowardย (Memphis Grizzlies)
Jaylen Wellsย (Memphis Grizzlies)
Full draft results
Cooper Flaggย (Team Melo)
Kon Knueppelย (Team T-Mac)
VJ Edgecombeย (Team Vince)
Derik Queenย (Team Vince)
Kelโel Wareย (Team T-Mac)
Reed Sheppardย (Team Melo)
Stephon Castleย (Team Melo)
Tre Johnsonย (Team T-Mac)
Kyshawn Georgeย (Team Vince)
Matas Buzelisย (Team Vince)
Alex Sarrย (Team T-Mac)
Dylan Harperย (Team Melo)
Jeremiah Fearsย (Team Melo)
Ajay Mitchellย (Team T-Mac)
Egor Dัminย (Team Vince)
Cedric Cowardย (Team Vince)
Jaylon Tysonย (Team T-Mac)
Donovan Clinganย (Team Melo)
Collin Murray-Boylesย (Team Melo)
Cam Spencerย (Team T-Mac)
Jaylen Wellsย (Team Vince)
Former NBA player and current NBC/Peacock analyst Austin Rivers will coach the G League Rising Stars team.
Team Austin
Sean East IIย (Salt Lake City Stars)
Ron Harper Jr.ย (Maine Celtics)
David Jones Garciaย (Austin Spurs)
Yanic Konan Niederhรคuserย (San Diego Clippers)
Alijah Martinย (Raptors 905)
Tristen Newtonย (Rio Grande Valley Vipers)
Yang Hansenย (Rip City Remix)
In the Castrol Rising Stars mini-tournament, Team A will face Team B in the first semifinal (Game 1), and Team C will play Team D in the second semifinal (Game 2). The winner of Game 1 will meet the winner of Game 2 in the championship (Game 3).
For each semifinal game, the winner will be the first team to reach or surpass 40 points. For the championship game, the winner will be the first team to reach or surpass 25 points.
NBA assistant coaches determined the pool of 21 NBA players, with each team submitting one ballot. Voters ranked 10 rookies and 10 sophomores, with more points assigned to higher placements. The top 10 rookies and top 10 sophomores by point total earned spots. The final spot was awarded to the higher-scoring player among the 11th-ranked finishers in each class. The pool includes one more sophomore than rookie based on total points received.
An assistant coach from one of the NBA All-Star Game coaching staffs will be named head coach of each of the four Castrol Rising Stars teams, working alongside the honorary coaches.
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