Three teams of NBA rookies/sophomores and one team of NBA G Leaguers were drafted to the Castrol 2026 rising star teams. These four teams will compete in a mini-tournament on Friday, Feb. 13, at the LA Clippers’ Intuit Dome as part of the 2026 NBA All-Star events. NBA legends Carmelo Anthony, Tracy McGrady, and Vince Carter, will coach the teams comprised of NBA rookies/sophomores, while former NBA player and current NBC/Peacock analyst Austin Rivers will coach a team made of rising stars in the G League. All four teams will have selected NBA assistants to help their honorary head coaches.
Former Rutgers guard Dylan Harper was drafted No. 12 overall by Anthony’s team, while his brother, Ron Harper Jr., was taken second overall in the G League draft. Both brothers were stars during their time at Rutgers.
Dylan Harper is averaging 10.4 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 3.5 assists per game while averaging 21.2 minutes per game. Ron Harper Jr. averaged 1.9 points per game and 5 minutes in the seven NBA games he appeared in this season. He has averaged 26.9 points, 5 rebounds, and 4 assists per game during the eight games he has played in the G League this season.
Their was several requirements that NBA rookies/ sophomores had to meet to be eligible to be selected, per the NBA’s website.
“NBA assistant coaches determined the pool of 21 NBA players, with each team submitting one ballot. 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 received.“
In the Castrol Rising Stars mini-tournament, Team A will face Team B in the first semifinal, and Team C will play Team D in the second semifinal. The winner of Game 1 will meet the winner of Game 2 in the championship. For each semifinal game, the winner will be the first team to reach or surpass 40 points. For the championship game, the winner will be the first team to reach 25 points. It is currently unknown which teams will be pitted against one another in the first two matchups.
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