Bold statement: UConn hits the spotlight again, placing four alumni on the NBA Rising Stars stage in 2026—and they’re ready to showcase the program’s depth on a national night in Los Angeles. But here’s where it gets interesting: the mix of former Huskies spans four distinct teams, each coached by a legend, turning a single exhibition into a showcase of growth, rivalry, and potential future NBA impact.
UConn is well represented at the NBA’s Rising Stars event for 2026, with four former players earning spots to compete on Friday night at the LA Clippers’ Intuit Dome. The participants are Stephon Castle, Donovan Clingan, Cam Spencer, and Tristen Newton, all set to lace up at 9 p.m. local time.
The Rising Stars challenge blends a blend of NBA sophomores, first-year players, and G-League prospects across four rosters. The event began as part of the NBA All-Star Weekend tradition and continues as a tournament-style display of young talent, quickly becoming a fan-favorite for spotting the next wave of stars.
Castle and Clingan, who helped lead UConn to its 2024 national title, were selected by Carmelo Anthony to join “Team Melo.” They’ll be joined by 2025 No. 1 pick Cooper Flagg, creating a Huskies-centered group within the format.
Spencer, another key member of that title squad, was picked by Tracy McGrady for “Team T-Mac.” He’ll team up with Kon Knueppel, who went as the fourth pick in the 2025 draft, as they vie for momentum on the floor.
Tristen Newton is slotted onto “Team Austin,” led by former NBA guard Austin Rivers. Newton will also play alongside slam-dunk champion Mac McClung and Ron Harper Jr., a G-League standout with the Boston Celtics organization.
Vince Carter serves as the coach for the fourth team, which features Philadelphia 76ers rookie VJ Edgecombe as a centerpiece. The team rosters were drafted by the coaches just last week, a process detailed in the NBA’s roster announcement coverage.
From a team-by-team perspective: Castle is wearing the Spurs’ colors, Clingan suits up for Portland, Spencer represents Memphis, and Newton competes with the Rio Grande Valley Vipers in the G-League.
The Rising Stars tournament will stream on Peacock, providing fans everywhere with a chance to watch these Huskies alums at a high-energy, competitive cross-section of young pro talent.
What this means for UConn fans and the program’s ongoing pipeline is worth considering. Each player’s path—from college success to professional development—highlights how a strong college program can continually feed top-tier basketball into the NBA. It also raises questions about how these players will translate their collegiate chemistry and training into professional roles on different teams and systems. Do you think UConn’s brand of player development gives its alumni a sharper edge in adapting to diverse NBA environments? Share your thoughts in the comments.
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