The NBA has officially unveiled the rosters for the 2026 Rising Stars game, and Cleveland’s Jaylon Tyson is headed to the spotlight.
For a guy who started the season on the fringe of the Cavaliers’ rotation, Tyson’s rise has been nothing short of remarkable. He’s now averaging 13.7 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 2.2 assists per game - solid numbers that only begin to tell the story.
What’s really turned heads is his efficiency from beyond the arc: he’s shooting a scorching 46% from three. That kind of leap doesn’t happen by accident.
“He’s just built up the equity,” said Cavs head coach Kenny Atkinson. “And that’s confidence in himself. It started in Summer League, then he just built it with his work.”
That work has paid off in a big way. Tyson has started 27 games this season and is logging close to 30 minutes a night. He’s gone from a developmental project to a key piece in Cleveland’s rotation - and more importantly, a player the team trusts in meaningful moments.
Part of that trust comes from the top. Donovan Mitchell, the Cavs’ franchise cornerstone, has taken Tyson under his wing in a big way.
“Donovan has believed in him since day one,” Atkinson said. “He’s anointed him, like, ‘okay, I need you, we’re going to get you better.’ So I think that when your superstar believes in you, that’s even more important than when the coach believes in you.”
That kind of mentorship can be a game-changer for a young player. And Tyson has responded by embracing the opportunity and delivering on both ends of the floor. His selection to the Rising Stars game puts him in elite company, joining names like Cooper Flagg, Dylan Harper, Stephon Castle, and Alex Sarr - all part of the NBA’s next wave of talent.
Tyson is also the first Cavalier to make the Rising Stars roster since Evan Mobley, who earned the honor in both his rookie and sophomore seasons. That’s not just a nod to individual growth - it’s a signal that Cleveland might have found another foundational piece.
And that’s crucial, given where the Cavaliers stand. With the most expensive roster in the league, Cleveland is boxed in financially.
They don’t have the flexibility to swing big at the trade deadline or chase major free agents in the offseason. That makes internal development - players like Tyson taking a leap - not just a bonus, but a necessity.
Tyson’s emergence isn’t just a feel-good story. It’s a lifeline.
For a franchise that needs to find value from within, his progress could shape the direction of the team moving forward. The Rising Stars game might be a celebration of young talent, but for the Cavs, it’s also a glimpse of what their future could look like - and Tyson is right at the center of it.