Jaylon Tyson’s Breakout Season Earns Rising Stars Nod-and He’s Just Getting Started
When the news broke during pregame warmups that Jaylon Tyson had been selected to the NBA’s Rising Stars roster, Cavs head coach Kenny Atkinson made sure he was the one to deliver it. A quiet moment between coach and player, just before tipoff against the Orlando Magic, marked a milestone in what’s quickly becoming a special sophomore season for the 21-year-old wing.
The celebration didn’t stop there. During a first-quarter break, the Cavaliers made it official with an in-arena announcement.
Tyson looked up at the video board, taking in the moment as the Cleveland crowd erupted. Donovan Mitchell wrapped him in a congratulatory hug.
The bench rallied the fans to keep the energy going. It was one of those moments that felt bigger than a midseason game-it was recognition of a player who’s grown up fast.
“I had an idea I might be in it,” Tyson said after the Cavs’ 114-98 win over Orlando. “But it’s a step closer to what my end goal is.
I do want to be an All-Star one day. I want to be a really good player.”
He’s already well on his way.
Tyson will suit up in the Rising Stars mini-tournament on February 13 at the Intuit Dome in Los Angeles as part of NBA All-Star Weekend. The event features 21 of the league’s top rookies and sophomores, along with seven G League standouts. Tyson is one of just 11 second-year players selected-a testament to the leap he’s made this season.
And make no mistake: this leap didn’t happen by accident.
“He’s relentless with his habits,” Atkinson said. “And it’s translating to this guy that you’re treating like a 10-year veteran. It’s pretty amazing.”
That work ethic has been Tyson’s calling card since last summer. He stayed in the gym, out of the spotlight, grinding away after a rookie season that didn’t go the way he envisioned.
As the 20th overall pick in the 2024 draft, Tyson saw limited action in Year 1. He logged just 453 total minutes, scored 167 points, and spent time in the G League to get meaningful reps.
It wasn’t what he expected, but instead of sulking, he used it as fuel.
Opportunity came knocking in Year 2-and Tyson kicked the door down.
With Max Strus sidelined by a foot injury and Darius Garland recovering from toe surgery, the Cavs needed someone to step up. Tyson didn’t just fill a role. He’s redefined it.
Now 48 games into his sophomore campaign, Tyson has become one of Cleveland’s most reliable two-way players. He’s the kind of 3-and-D wing every team covets-versatile, efficient, and unafraid of the moment. He guards the opposing team’s best scorer most nights, hits threes at an elite clip, and plays with a poise well beyond his years.
“He’s a great player,” said Evan Mobley. “He knows his role.
He’s been playing his role and getting more and more minutes. All his work that he’s been putting in is paying off-and it’s going to keep paying off.
Really not a surprise.”
Mitchell echoed that sentiment.
“It just got to a point where it was like, this isn’t a hot stretch,” Mitchell said. “It’s the little things he’s doing.
Those are the things that show you he’s taking that next step. That’s a credit to his work and his willingness to learn and be coached.”
Tyson, for his part, keeps it simple.
“I just get them the ball and then when I get the ball, shoot it or go set a screen and then play defense and rebound,” he said with a grin. “Fun job. Fun job for sure.”
The numbers back it all up: 13.7 points per game on 51.3% shooting, including a scorching 46.2% from three. He’s also averaging 5.5 rebounds and 2.2 assists in just under 28 minutes per game. That’s a massive jump from last season’s 3.6 points per game-a 10.1-point increase, the second-highest in the league this year for players who’ve appeared in at least 40 games this season and 10 last season.
Among first- and second-year players, Tyson is one of only nine averaging at least 13.5 points and 5.0 rebounds. He’s the only one in that group shooting over 45% from deep. His three-point percentage ranks third in the entire NBA, behind only Luke Kennard and Tari Eason.
“He’s just a really good basketball player,” Atkinson said. “The offensive stuff he’s doing is kind of coming out of nowhere.
I’ll give our front office credit-Koby [Altman], Mike [Gansey], Brandon [Weems]-that’s a hell of a pick. The kid has an incredible work ethic.
He’s in that Donovan kind of level in terms of how he takes care of his body. And we’ve got leaders that support him.
Coaches get way too much credit when a guy kind of takes off like he is.”
Tyson’s development isn’t just a feel-good story-it’s one of the most important developments of the Cavs’ season. His emergence has helped stabilize a rotation that’s been hit hard by injuries.
It’s also shifted the long-term outlook for the franchise. Cleveland has been searching for a true 3-and-D wing to complement its core.
They may have found him.
And while the Rising Stars selection is Tyson’s first official accolade, he’s already thinking bigger.
“I think I should be [Most Improved Player],” Tyson said, with Mitchell encouraging him to speak up. “If we were winning more games right now, I would be in that conversation, right?
I feel like respectfully and humbly, the numbers speak for itself. You see my leap from last year.
You could technically look at this as my rookie year. I just feel like my ability to adapt to a lot of stuff, that’s what puts me in that category.
They say second-year players can’t get it, but why not? I think I should be in that conversation.
We’re going to continue to win games and I’m going to keep being me, and we’ll see how it happens.”
That’s classic Tyson-confident, candid, and focused on the next challenge. The Rising Stars game is a well-earned honor. But it’s just the beginning.