A few days from now, the 2026 NBA All-Star Weekend festivities will begin at the Intuit Dome of the Los Angeles Clippers. That being said, let’s take a look at which players are competing in the different events to be held during the prelude to the NBA All-Star Game.
Rising Stars Challenge
The Rising Stars Challenge was formerly known as the “Rookies vs. Sophomores” game. But it was rebranded in 2022, with the league adding NBA G League players to the mix to compete against the NBA’s best young talent.
TEAM MELO
Head Coach: Carmelo Anthony
• Stephon Castle (San Antonio Spurs)
• Donovan Clingan (Portland Trail Blazers)
• Jeremiah Fears (New Orleans Pelicans)
• Cooper Flagg (Dallas Mavericks)
• Dylan Harper (San Antonio Spurs)
• Collin Murray-Boyles (Toronto Raptors)
• Reed Sheppard (Houston Rockets)
TEAM VINCE
Head Coach: Vince Carter
• Matas Buzelis (Chicago Bulls)
• Cedric Coward (Memphis Grizzlies)
• Egor Dёmin (Brooklyn Nets)
• VJ Edgecombe (Philadelphia 76ers)
• Kyshawn George (Washington Wizards)
• Derik Queen (New Orleans Pelicans)
• Jaylen Wells (Memphis Grizzlies)
TEAM T-MAC
Head Coach: Tracy McGrady
• Tre Johnson (Washington Wizards)
• Kon Knueppel (Charlotte Hornets)
• Ajay Mitchell (Oklahoma City Thunder)
• Alex Sarr (Washington Wizards)
• Cam Spencer (Memphis Grizzlies)
• Jaylon Tyson (Cleveland Cavaliers)
• Kel’el Ware (Miami Heat)
TEAM AUSTIN
Head Coach: Austin Rivers
• Sean East II (Salt Lake City Stars)
• Ron Harper Jr. (Maine Celtics)
• Mac McClung (Windy City Bulls)
• Yanic Konan Niederhauser (San Diego Clippers)
• Alijah Martin (Raptors 905)
• Tristen Newton (Rio Grande Valley Vipers)
• Yang Hansen (Rip City Remix)
KIA Shooting Stars Challenge
The KIA Shooting Stars Challenge is a team-based timed shooting competition held during NBA All-Star Saturday as part of the NBA All-Star Weekend festivities.
TEAM ALL-STAR
Head Coach: Richard “Rip” Hamilton
• Scottie Barnes (Toronto Raptors)
• Chet Holmgren (Oklahoma City Thunder)
TEAM KNICKS
Head Coach: Allan Houston
• Jalen Brunson (New York Knicks)
• Karl-Anthony Towns (New York Knicks)
TEAM CAMERON
Head Coach: Corey Maggette
• Kon Knueppel (Charlotte Hornets)
• Jalen Johnson (Atlanta Hawks)
TEAM HARPER
Head Coach: Ron Harper Sr.
• Dylan Harper (San Antonio Spurs)
• Ron Harper Jr. (Maine Celtics)
AT&T Slam Dunk Competition
Exactly a decade ago, Zach LaVine and Aaron Gordon put on a show during the Slam Dunk Contest in Toronto. Now, it’s time for these new dunkers to announce their names to the world.
• Jaxson Hayes (Los Angeles Lakers)
• Carter Bryant (San Antonio Spurs)
• Keshad Johnson (Miami Heat)
• Jase Richardson (Orlando Magic)
State Farm 3-Point Contest
A staple of the NBA All-Star Weekend, the three-point contest pits the NBA’s best marksmen in a test of skill, accuracy, and endurance.
• Devin Booker, Phoenix Suns
• Kon Knueppel, Charlotte Hornets
• Damian Lillard, Portland Trail Blazers
• Tyrese Maxey, Philadelphia 76ers
• Donovan Mitchell, Cleveland Cavaliers
• Jamal Murray, Denver Nuggets
• Bobby Portis Jr., Milwaukee Bucks
• Norman Powell, Miami Heat
NBA All-Star Saturday, when these sidelights take place, will happen on Sunday here in the Philippines starting at 6:00 a.m. The Rising Stars Challenge will take place the day before.
