The NBA has officially announced the player pool for the 2026 Castrol Rising Stars Game, showcasing the league’s top young talent as part of NBA All-Star Weekend in Los Angeles.

The event, which is set for Friday, Feb. 13 at the Intuit Dome, will feature a mini-tournament format pitting future stars against each other in front of a global audience. 

The 28-player pool consists of the brightest NBA rookies, sophomores, and G League standouts who will be drafted into four teams to compete in the Rising Stars showcase. Hall of Famers Carmelo Anthony, Vince Carter, and Tracy McGrady will serve as honorary coaches, while Austin Rivers will lead the G League squad. 

Among the top young NBA talents included in the Rising Stars roster are:

Rookies

• Cedric Coward (Memphis Grizzlies)
• Egor Dёmin (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)
• Derik Queen (New Orleans Pelicans)

Sophomores

• 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)
• Kel’el Ware (Miami Heat)
• Jaylen Wells (Memphis Grizzlies)

NBA G League Players

• 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)
• Tristen Newton (Rio Grande Valley Vipers)
• Yang Hansen (Rip City Remix)

Format & Details

• The Rising Stars event will feature a four-team mini-tournament, with three teams made up of NBA rookies and sophomores and one team of G League standouts. 
• The draft to assign players to each roster will be televised live, with each honorary coach selecting their squad. 
• The tournament’s semifinal games are played to 40 points, with the championship game played to 25 points, providing a fast-paced display of elite young talent. 

The 2026 Castrol Rising Stars Game promises to be a highlight of NBA All-Star Weekend, spotlighting the next generation of star talent – from high-impact rookies like Cooper Flagg and VJ Edgecombe to emerging sophomores and G League standouts ready to stake their claim on the big stage.