Cooper Flagg tops 28-player field for 2026 Rising Stars Challenge
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Dallas Mavericks rookie forward Cooper Flagg, the first overall pick in the 2025 NBA draft, leads the list of 28 participants chosen for the Rising Stars Challenge during All-Star Weekend in Los Angeles.
The NBA released the full player pool Monday. Ten rookies—all lottery selections—were invited:
• San Antonio Spurs guard Dylan Harper (No. 2)
• Philadelphia 76ers guard VJ Edgecombe (No. 3)
• Charlotte Hornets guard Kon Knueppel (No. 4)
• Washington Wizards guard Tre Johnson (No. 6)
• New Orleans Pelicans guard Jeremiah Fears (No. 7)
• Brooklyn Nets guard Egor Demin (No. 8)
• Toronto Raptors forward Collin Murray-Boyles (No. 9)
• Memphis Grizzlies forward Cedric Coward (No. 11)
• Dallas Mavericks forward Derik Queen (No. 13)
• Mavericks forward Cooper Flagg (No. 1)
The sophomore group features 11 players, highlighted by 2024 No. 2 pick Alex Sarr of the Washington Wizards. Joining him are
• Houston Rockets guard Reed Sheppard (No. 3)
• Spurs guard Stephon Castle (No. 4)
• Portland Trail Blazers center Donovan Clingan (No. 7)
• Chicago Bulls forward Matas Buzelis (No. 11)
• Miami Heat center Kel’el Ware (No. 15)
• Cleveland Cavaliers guard Jaylon Tyson (No. 20)
• Wizards forward Kyshawn George (No. 24)
• Oklahoma City Thunder guard Ajay Mitchell (No. 38)
• Grizzlies guard Jaylen Wells (No. 39)
• Grizzlies guard Cam Spencer (No. 53)
Seven G League players round out the field: first-round draft picks Yang Hansen (Portland, No. 16) and Yanic Konan Niederhauser (LA Clippers, No. 30); two-way contract players David Jones Garcia (Spurs), Tristen Newton (Rockets), Alijah Martin (Raptors) and Ron Harper Jr. (Boston Celtics); plus Salt Lake City Stars guard Sean East II.
The 28 participants were selected by a vote of NBA assistant coaches. They will be split into four squads for a mini-tournament on Feb. 13 at Crypto.com Arena. Three teams will consist of rookies and sophomores; the seven G League players will form the fourth roster.
Honorary coaches and NBC analysts Carmelo Anthony, Tracy McGrady and Vince Carter will draft the rookie and sophomore teams live Tuesday night on NBC. Former NBA guard and current NBC Sports analyst Austin Rivers will guide the G League group.
Assistant coaches from the Detroit Pistons and the Western Conference All-Star coaching staff will serve as head coaches for the four Rising Stars teams.
Source: ESPN
