The 2026 NBA All-Star weekend features an opportunity for rookies and sophomores to showcase their abilities against one of the top prospects. The 2026 Rising Stars game at Intuit Dome on Friday will be another one of those opportunities for young superstars.
The 2025 draft class has produced some crucial offensive weapons. A new format this season has even increased anticipation this year.
What’s the new format of All-Star Rising Stars game?
The 2026 Rising Stars will be a three-game tournament among four teams, with every team consisting of seven players. Three teams are selected from the league, while the last fourth team consists of players from the G-League.
The first two games will be played to 40, and the final game will be played to 25. In the 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).
The player rosters were selected by NBA Assistant Coaches from a pool of 21 players. 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.
Rising Stars Player rosters
Team T-Mac
Kon Knueppel (Charlotte Hornets)
Kel’el Ware (Miami Heat)
Tre Johnson (Washington Wizards)
Jaylon Tyson (Cleveland Cavaliers)
Zaccharie Risacher (Atlanta Hawks)
Cam Spencer (Memphis Grizzlies)
Bub Carrington (Washington Wizards)
Team Melo
Stephon Castle (San Antonio Spurs)
Donovan Clingan (Portland Trail Blazers)
Reed Sheppard (Houston Rockets)
Ace Bailey (Utah Jazz)
Dylan Harper (San Antonio Spurs)
Jeremiah Fears (New Orleans Pelicans)
Collin Murray-Boyles (Toronto Raptors)
Team Vince
VJ Edgecombe (Philadelphia 76ers)
Derik Queen (New Orleans Pelicans)
Matas Buzelis (Chicago Bulls)
Kyshawn George (Washington Wizards)
Cedric Coward (Memphis Grizzlies)
Egor Demin (Brooklyn Nets)
Jaylen Wells (Memphis Grizzlies)
Team Austin
Jahmir Young (Sioux Falls Skyforce)
Yang Hansen (Rip City Remix)
Sean East II (Salt Lake City Stars)
Ron Harper Jr. (Maine Celtics)
Yanic Konan Niederhauser (San Diego Clippers)
Alijah Martin (Raptors 905)
Tristen Newton (Rio Grande Valley Vipers)
Hall of Fame players Carmelo Anthony, Vince Carter, Tracy McGrady, and Austin Rivers will be the coaching team for this season’s tournament. 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. The HC will work with honorary coaches.
READ MORE: 2026 NBA All-Star Game Ticket Prices: Where to Find the Best Deals & More
NBA All-Star 2026 Dunk Contest: Participants, Date, Time & More
NBA All-star Celebrity Game 2026: List of all confirmed participants
College Sports Network has you covered with the latest news, analysis, insights, and trending stories in college football, men’s college basketball, women’s college basketball, and college baseball!
