Mavs' Flagg, Spurs' Castle headline Rising Stars roster
The NBA unveiled the 28 players selected to take part in this year's Rising Stars game Feb. 13 at All-Star Weekend in Los Angeles.
The annual showcase is a three-game mini-tournament featuring rookies, sophomores, and G League players.
Here's the full roster of players along with their respective teams.
Rookies
| Position | Player | Team |
|---|---|---|
| G | Cedric Coward | Grizzlies |
| G | Egor Demin | Nets |
| G | VJ Edgecombe | 76ers |
| G | Jeremiah Fears | Pelicans |
| G | Dylan Harper | Spurs |
| G | Tre Johnson | Wizards |
| F | Cooper Flagg | Mavericks |
| F | Kon Knueppel | Hornets |
| F | Collin Murray-Boyles | Raptors |
| C | Derik Queen | Pelicans |
The Dallas Mavericks selected Flagg with the No. 1 overall pick in last year's draft. The versatile 6-foot-9 forward became the youngest player in NBA history to score 40-plus points with his 42-point night against the Utah Jazz last December.
Flagg's former Duke teammate, Knueppel, is arguably his biggest competition for Rookie of the Year honors. The Charlotte Hornets wing is enjoying a solid debut campaign, averaging 18.9 points, 5.5 boards, and 3.5 assists across 45 appearances.
Sophomores
| Position | Player | Team |
|---|---|---|
| G | Stephon Castle | Spurs |
| G | Ajay Mitchell | Thunder |
| G | Reed Sheppard | Rockets |
| G | Cam Spencer | Grizzlies |
| G | Jaylon Tyson | Cavaliers |
| G/F | Kyshawn George | Wizards |
| G/F | Jaylen Wells | Grizzlies |
| F | Matas Buzelis | Bulls |
| C | Donovan Clingan | Trail Blazers |
| C | Alex Sarr | Wizards |
| C | Kel'el Ware | Heat |
Castle highlights the group of sophomores chosen. The UConn product has been a key part of the San Antonio Spurs' rise this season, tallying 16.6 points, seven assists, and five dimes per contest over 37 games.
Meanwhile, Mitchell has developed into one of the Association's top reserve scorers, averaging 14.1 points on 48.7% shooting for the league-leading Oklahoma City Thunder.
G League Players
| Position | Player | Team |
|---|---|---|
| G | Sean East II | Salt Lake City Stars |
| G | Alijah Martin | Raptors 905 |
| G | Tristen Newton | Rio Grande Valley Vipers |
| F | Ron Harper Jr. | Maine Celtics |
| F | David Jones Garcia | Austin Spurs |
| C | Yanic Konan Niederhauser | San Diego Clippers |
| C | Yang Hansen | Rip City Remix |
Portland acquired Hansen's rights from the Grizzlies on draft night. The 7-foot-1 center from China is averaging 18.3 points, 9.7 boards, two assists, and 1.7 blocks for the Remix.
Honorary coaches Carmelo Anthony, Tracy McGrady, and Vince Carter will each draft a seven-player team from the pool of first- and second-year players.
The G League squad will be coached by former No. 10 overall pick Austin Rivers.