Key Highlights
- Carmelo Anthony, Tracy McGrady, and Vince Carter draft top rookies for the 2026 Castrol Rising Stars.
- Dallas Mavericks rookie Cooper Flagg and Charlotte Hornets rookie Kon Knueppel selected with top two picks.
- The mini-tournament will be held on February 13 at LA Clippers’ Intuit Dome, part of NBA All-Star 2026.
- Former NBA player Austin Rivers will coach the G League Rising Stars team.
The 2026 Castrol Rising Stars Draft: A Star-Studded Affair
In a star-studded event, former NBA All-Stars Carmelo Anthony, Tracy McGrady, and Vince Carter have once again taken the stage as honorary coaches for the 2026 Castrol Rising Stars draft. This year’s draft saw Dallas Mavericks rookie Cooper Flagg and Charlotte Hornets rookie Kon Knueppel emerge as the top picks, securing their places in what promises to be an exciting mini-tournament.
Team Composition and Draft Picks
The 2026 Castrol Rising Stars mini-tournament will feature four teams, each composed of a mix of top NBA rookies and sophomores. Team Melo, led by Dallas Mavericks rookie Cooper Flagg, includes Reed Sheppard from the Houston Rockets, Stephon Castle from San Antonio Spurs, and Jeremiah Fears from New Orleans Pelicans, among others.
Team T-Mac, captained by Charlotte Hornets rookie Kon Knueppel, fields players like Kel’el Ware from Miami Heat, Tre Johnson from Washington Wizards, and Alex Sarr also from the Washington Wizards. Meanwhile, Team Vince, with Philadelphia 76ers rookie VJ Edgecombe as its captain, includes Derik Queen from New Orleans Pelicans and Kyshawn George from Washington Wizards.
The final spot on each team was determined by a point system, where assistant coaches ranked rookies and sophomores, assigning more points to higher placements. This ensured that the top 10 rookies and top 10 sophomores by point total earned spots in the tournament.
Mini-Tournament Structure
The mini-tournament is scheduled for February 13 at LA Clippers’ Intuit Dome, part of the NBA All-Star festivities. The structure involves two semifinals—Team Melo vs. Team T-Mac and Team Vince vs.
Team A—and a championship game between the winners.
Each semifinal will see the first team to reach or surpass 40 points declared the winner, while the championship game will have the first team reaching or exceeding 25 points crowned as the victor. This format ensures an exciting and competitive environment for all teams involved.
Coaching and Organization
Former NBA player Austin Rivers has been appointed to coach the G League Rising Stars team, working alongside the honorary coaches to ensure a smooth operation of the mini-tournament. The event aims to provide a platform for up-and-coming talent to showcase their skills against each other and against a G League squad.
The 14 All-Star reserves will be revealed on February 1 at 6 p.m. ET, just before “Sunday Night Basketball” premieres on NBC/Peacock, adding another layer of anticipation for basketball fans across the nation.
With all these elements in place, the 2026 Castrol Rising Stars draft and mini-tournament are set to be a highlight of the NBA All-Star weekend, offering a glimpse into the future stars of the league. Stay tuned as we approach February 13 for more updates and thrilling moments from this unique event.
