Rising Stars Shine at NBA All-Star Weekend
During the NBA All-Star weekend in 2026, Portland Trail Blazers centers Donvan Clingan and Yang Hansen stood out in the Rising Stars competition held in Inglewood, California. This event showcased young talent as they competed with rookies and second-year players, along with a G-League team.
The Format
The Rising Stars competition featured three teams made up of NBA rookies, sophomores, and a squad from the G-League. Honoring legends, Hall of Famers Carmelo Anthony, Vince Carter, and Tracy McGrady coached the NBA teams, while Austin Rivers led the G-League team. Twenty-one players were chosen from a ballot of NBA assistant coaches, with Clingan being picked 18th for Team Melo.
Game Highlights
The tournament kicked off with a semi-final between Hansen’s Team Austin and Clingan’s Team Melo. Clingan started strong, scoring the first seven points for Team Melo, finishing the game with nine points and two rebounds. However, he struggled a bit with his shooting, making only one out of four three-point attempts.
Hansen came off the bench with Team Austin trailing 9-14. He quickly made an unguarded three-pointer and followed it up by completing a three-point play after driving to the hoop. He ended the game with ten points, an impressive 80% shooting from the field, and two rebounds.
One of the standout moments came when Hansen faked out Clingan, driving to the rim for a layup that garnered cheers from the crowd.
Team Melo pulled off a strong 12-2 run, pushing them ahead to win 40-34. Clingan and teammate Reed Sheppard both scored nine points, leading their team.
In another semi-final, Team Vince triumphed over Team T-Mac 41-36, thanks to VJ Edgecombe’s 17-point performance.
The Final Showdown
In the finals, Clingan scored the first six points for Team Melo with two three-pointers. However, he struggled to contribute offensively after that. He had a key moment in defense, blocking a potential game-winning shot but got called for a foul. With the score at 24-23 for Team Melo, Edgecombe calmly stepped up to hit two free throws, sealing the win for Team Vince.
Clingan finished the finals with just six points, showing how challenging it can be to maintain effectiveness throughout the game.
Looking Ahead
Next up for the Blazers is Damian Lillard, who will compete in the 3-Point Contest, scheduled for Saturday at 2:00 PM Pacific Time. Following that, fans can enjoy the KIA Shooting Stars event and the AT&T Slam Dunk Contest. On Sunday, Deni Avdija will represent Portland in the main mini-tournament, starting at 2:00 PM Pacific.
The Rising Stars competition not only spotlighted exciting young talents but also underscored the growing competitive spirit within the league. According to recent studies, events like these are essential for building fan engagement and showcasing the future stars of basketball.
This year’s All-Star weekend continues to show how the NBA fosters talent and creates memorable moments for fans and players alike.
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