Reigning tournament MVP Stephon Castle banners the Rising Stars pool for the 2026 NBA All-Star Weekend, joined by top rookies Cooper Flagg and Fil-Am guard Dylan Harper.
A new generation is ready for the spotlight.
Cooper Flagg, Stephon Castle, and Dylan Harper headline the NBA’s next wave of stars after being named to the Castrol Rising Stars pool for All-Star Weekend 2026, the league announced Tuesday, January 27 (PH time).
The trio banner a stacked field of 21 rookies and sophomores, joined by seven NBA G League standouts, set to open 2026 All-Star festivities in Los Angeles with the annual showcase of young talent on February 14 (PH time) at the Intuit Dome.
Also making the rookie pool are Cedric Coward (Memphis Grizzlies) New Orleans Pelicans standouts Jeremiah Fears and Derik Queen, Charlotte Hornets sharpshooter Kon Knueppel, Egor Dëmin (Brooklyn Nets), Tre Johnson (Washington Wizards), and Collin Murray-Boyles (Toronto Raptors).
Meanwhile, last year’s tournament MVP Castle returns to the event as the standard-bearer of a deep sophomore class.
The Spurs guard anchors a group loaded with second-year talent that include Matas Buzelis (Chicago Bulls), 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), Kel’el Ware (Miami Heat), and Jaylen Wells (Memphis Grizzlies).
Chinese rookie Yang Hansen of the Rip City Remix headlines the NBA G League contingent alongside Sean East II (Salt Lake City Stars), Ron Harper Jr. (Maine Celtics), David Jones Garcia (Austin Spurs), Yanic Konan Niederhäuser (San Diego Clippers), Alijah Martin (Raptors 905) and Tristen Newton (Rio Grande Valley Vipers).
Hall of Famers Carmelo Anthony, Vince Carter, and Tracy McGrady will serve as honorary coaches for the mini-tournament, while Austin Rivers will handle coaching duties for the G League Rising Stars squad.
The selected NBA players will be drafted into three teams, with a fourth team composed of G League standouts, setting the stage for a high-energy opening act to All-Star festivities.
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Pao Ambat earned his journalism degree from Cavite State University in 2022.
Passionate about sports from a young age, he primarily covers the NBA for One Sports, while also assisting in reporting on the PVL, PBA, UAAP, and other leagues.