NBA Rising Stars Challenge Draft: Carmelo Anthony Selects Cooper Flagg as First Pick
The NBA Rising Stars Challenge is just around the corner, and the excitement is building up. On Tuesday night, the draft for the three teams made up of rookie and sophomore players took place, with NBA Hall of Famer Carmelo Anthony making the first pick. Anthony, who is coaching one of the teams, selected Dallas Mavericks forward Cooper Flagg, the No. 1 pick in June’s NBA draft, as his top choice.
The first four picks of the draft were all members of the 2025 NBA draft class, with Flagg being followed by Charlotte Hornets guard Kon Knueppel, who was taken with the second pick by Tracy McGrady. Vince Carter then took Philadelphia 76ers guard VJ Edgecombe and New Orleans Pelicans forward Derik Queen with the third and fourth selections. This draft is a significant event in the NBA calendar, providing a platform for young players to showcase their skills and compete against their peers.
Team Lineups Announced
The three teams, which were drafted on NBC’s pregame show on Peacock Tuesday night ahead of the 76ers-Bucks game in South Philadelphia, have been announced. Team Melo, coached by Carmelo Anthony, consists of 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, coached by Tracy McGrady, includes 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, coached by Vince Carter, features 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, made up of players who have participated in the G League this season, consists of two first-round picks from June’s draft: Trail Blazers center Yang Hansen, the 16th pick, and LA Clippers center Yanic Konan Niederhauser, the 30th pick. The team also includes four players on two-way contracts: David Jones Garcia (Spurs), Tristan Newton (Houston Rockets), Alijah Martin (Toronto Raptors), and Ron Harper Jr. (Boston Celtics), as well as Sean East II, who plays for the G League’s Salt Lake City Stars.
Competition Format and Schedule
The four teams will play three games, with the winners of the first two games competing in the third to determine the overall champion. The games will take place on Friday, February 16, as part of the All-Star festivities at Intuit Dome in Los Angeles. The NBA Rising Stars Challenge is an annual event that provides a platform for young players to showcase their skills and compete against their peers. The event is part of the NBA All-Star Weekend, which features a range of activities, including the NBA All-Star Game, the NBA Skills Challenge, and the NBA Three-Point Contest.
According to the NBA, the Rising Stars Challenge is designed to “showcase the league’s upcoming stars” and provide “a unique opportunity for fans to see the future of the NBA in action.” The event has a rich history, dating back to 1994, and has featured some of the biggest names in the NBA, including Kobe Bryant, LeBron James, and Kevin Durant. This year’s event promises to be just as exciting, with a talented pool of young players competing for the top prize.
