The NBA on Friday released the full roster for the 2026 Rising Stars event, confirming 11 second-year players, 10 rookies and seven G League standouts for the February 13 mini-tournament at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California.
Rookie Selections
Cedric Coward (Grizzlies), Dylan Harper (Spurs), Egor DÑ‘min (Nets), Tre Johnson (Wizards), VJ Edgecombe (76ers), Kon Knueppel (Hornets), Jeremiah Fears (Pelicans), Collin Murray-Boyles (Raptors), Cooper Flagg (Mavericks) and Derik Queen (Pelicans) make up the first-year group. All 10 were lottery picks in the 2025 draft, headlined by No. 1 overall choice Flagg, No. 3 Edgecombe and No. 4 Knueppel.
Sophomore Selections
Matas Buzelis (Bulls), Alex Sarr (Wizards), Stephon Castle (Spurs), Reed Sheppard (Rockets), Donovan Clingan (Trail Blazers), Cam Spencer (Grizzlies), Kyshawn George (Wizards), Jaylon Tyson (Cavaliers), Ajay Mitchell (Thunder), Kelel Ware (Heat) and Jaylen Wells (Grizzlies) represent the second-year class. Five of the 11 were drafted in the lottery a year ago, while three were later first-rounders and three entered the league as second-round picks.
G League Selections
Sean East II (Salt Lake City Stars), Alijah Martin (Raptors 905), Ron Harper Jr. (Maine Celtics), Tristen Newton (Rio Grande Valley Vipers), David Jones Garcia (Austin Spurs), Yang Hansen (Rip City Remix) and Yanic Konan Niederhauser (San Diego Clippers) round out the 28-player field. Six of the seven hold NBA contracts: Yang (No. 16 pick in 2025) and Niederhauser (No. 30) are on standard deals, while Martin, Harper, Newton and Garcia have two-way agreements. East is the lone participant on a G League contract after being waived by Utah last fall.
Draft and Coaching Format
NBA assistant coaches selected the 21 rookies and sophomores. Those players will be drafted into three seven-man teams on Tuesday at 6:00 p.m. CT on Peacock by honorary coaches Carmelo Anthony, Vince Carter and Tracy McGrady. Austin Rivers will serve in the same capacity for the G League squad. The four bench bosses during the games will come from the coaching staffs of the 2026 All-Star Game.
Tournament Structure
The event features single-elimination semifinals played to 40 points, followed by a championship game played to 25. The winning side will be crowned at the conclusion of the Feb. 13 slate.
A family angle adds intrigue: Dylan Harper, the No. 2 pick in the 2025 draft, joins his older brother Ron Harper Jr. in the showcase. Both are sons of five-time NBA champion Ron Harper, a veteran of the Bulls and Lakers dynasties.
Source: Hoops Rumors
