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The NBA’s next wave of stars takes center stage at All-Star Weekend, where young talent shows up for a night meant to spotlight the league’s future. Fans will get a close look at high-upside rookies and G League standouts as teams coached by legends square off in the Rising Stars Challenge. Whether you follow the action for the breakout performances or scouting intel, here’s everything you need to know to watch and who to watch.
How to watch the Rising Stars Challenge live
- Streaming: Peacock is the exclusive live stream for the Rising Stars Challenge.
- Traditional TV: No national broadcast channel carries the game live.
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Peacock’s sports lineup includes NBA coverage alongside NFL, college sports, Premier League soccer and major multi-sport events. To stream the Rising Stars Challenge, you’ll need a Peacock subscription.
When it tips and where it’s played
- Date: Friday, Feb. 13, 2026
- Tip-off time: 9 p.m. ET
- Venue: Intuit Dome, Inglewood, California
The Rising Stars event opens the All-Star slate on Friday night. Expect a fast-paced game that highlights young skill and athleticism in front of an NBA All-Star crowd.
Rising Stars rosters for 2026 — teams and mentors
Four squads feature freshmen, sophomores and standout G League players. Each roster mixes scorers, playmakers and big men who could be future fixtures in the league.
Team Melo (mentored by Carmelo Anthony)
- Ace Bailey — Jazz
- Reed Sheppard — Rockets
- Stephon Castle — Spurs
- Dylan Harper — Spurs
- Jeremiah Fears — Pelicans
- Donovan Clingan — Trail Blazers
- Collin Murray-Boyles — Raptors
Team T-Mac (mentored by Tracy McGrady)
- Tre Johnson — Wizards
- Kon Knueppel — Hornets
- Bub Carrington — Wizards
- Zaccharie Risacher — Hawks
- Cam Spencer — Grizzlies
- Jaylon Tyson — Cavaliers
- Kel’el Ware — Heat
Team Vince (mentored by Vince Carter)
- Matas Buzelis — Bulls
- Carter Bryant — Spurs
- Egor Dëmin — Nets
- Kyshawn George — Wizards
- Derik Queen — Pelicans
- Jaylen Wells — Grizzlies
- VJ Edgecombe — 76ers
Team Austin / G League squad (led by Austin Rivers)
- Sean East II — Salt Lake City Stars
- Ron Harper Jr. — Maine Celtics
- Jahmir Young — Sioux Falls Skyforce
- Yanic Konan Niederhäuser — San Diego Clippers
- Alijah Martin — Raptors 905
- Tristen Newton — Rio Grande Valley Vipers
- Yang Hansen — Rip City Remix
Standout rookies and young talents to follow
- Cooper Flagg: A high-profile rookie many expect to impact both ends of the floor.
- Kon Knueppel: A guard with range and playmaking upside who earns minutes early.
- VJ Edgecombe: A 76ers rookie with scoring instincts and perimeter touch.
These names represent a cross-section of potential franchise pieces and role players on the rise. The Rising Stars game is a chance for each to show how their game translates under bright lights.
All-Star Weekend events and where to watch them
- Fri., Feb. 13 — NBA All-Star Celebrity Game: 7 p.m. ET on ESPN and the ESPN app.
- Fri., Feb. 13 — Rising Stars Challenge: 9 p.m. ET streaming on Peacock.
- Fri., Feb. 13 — NBA HBCU Classic: 11 p.m. ET on Peacock.
- Sat., Feb. 15 — All-Star Media Day: 1:30 p.m. ET on NBA TV.
- Sat., Feb. 15 — All-Star Saturday Night: 5 p.m. ET on NBC and Peacock.
- Sun., Feb. 16 — NBA All-Star Game: 5 p.m. ET on NBC and Peacock.
Quick links and further reading
- Latest NBA news and rumors
- Full 2025-26 NBA schedule and scores
- How to bet on the NBA
