Flagg, Knueppel, and Edgecombe lead selections in Rising Stars draft
PHILADELPHIA — NBA Hall of Famer Carmelo Anthony selected Dallas Mavericks forward Cooper Flagg, the top overall pick in June’s NBA Draft, as the first choice in Tuesday night’s draft for the three teams composed of rookie and sophomore players in the Rising Stars Challenge.
The initial four selections were all from the 2025 NBA Draft class, with Flagg leading the way, followed by Charlotte Hornets guard Kon Knueppel, who was chosen second overall by Tracy McGrady. Vince Carter then picked Philadelphia 76ers guard VJ Edgecombe and New Orleans Pelicans forward Derik Queen with the third and fourth overall picks, respectively.
Completing the three teams, which were selected during NBC’s pregame broadcast on Peacock Tuesday night prior to the 76ers-Bucks game in South Philadelphia, are as follows:
Team Melo: Flagg, Houston Rockets guard Reed Sheppard; San Antonio Spurs guards Stephon Castle and Dylan Harper; Pelicans guard Jeremiah Fears; Portland Trail Blazers center Donovan Clingan; and Toronto Raptors forward Collin Murray-Boyles.
Team T-Mac: Knueppel, Miami Heat center Kel’el Ware, Washington Wizards guard Tre Johnson and center Alex Sarr; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Ajay Mitchell; Cleveland Cavaliers guard Jaylon Tyson; and Memphis Grizzlies guard Cam Spencer.
Team Vince: Edgecombe, Queen, Wizards forward Kyshawn George; Chicago Bulls forward Matas Buzelis; Brooklyn Nets guard Egor Demin; and Memphis Grizzlies forwards Cedric Coward and Jaylen Wells.
The fourth team, consisting of players who have participated in the G League this season, includes two first-round selections – Trail Blazers center Yang Hansen, the 16th pick, and LA Clippers center Yanic Konan Niederhauser, the 30th pick, from June’s NBA Draft; along with four players on two-way contracts – David Jones Garcia (Spurs); Tristan Newton (Houston Rockets); Alijah Martin (Toronto Raptors); and Ron Harper Jr. (Boston Celtics). The final player, Sean East II, is with the G League’s Salt Lake City Stars.
The four teams will compete in three games, with the winners of the first two matches facing off in the third to decide the overall champion, on Friday, Feb. 13, as part of the All-Star festivities at Intuit Dome in Los Angeles.
