VJ Edgecombe Shines Brightest as Team Vince Wins 2026 Rising Stars Thriller
INGLEWOOD, Calif. - All-Star Friday night wrapped up with the kind of drama you hope for in a showcase of the NBA’s future. Inside the electric Intuit Dome, Team Vince edged out Team Melo 25-24 in a winner-take-all finish to claim the 2026 Castrol Rising Stars title - and it was rookie VJ Edgecombe who owned the moment.
With the game tied and the “next bucket wins” format in full effect, Edgecombe stepped to the line with ice in his veins. The Philadelphia 76ers rookie calmly knocked down both free throws, sealing the win and capping off a night that cemented his Rising Stars MVP honors. He tallied 17 points in the semifinal and added six more in the final, but more importantly, he delivered when it mattered most.
The final sequence had all the tension you’d expect. Team Melo, needing just one point to win, couldn’t get a clean look from deep.
San Antonio’s Stephon Castle gave them a brief lead with a heads-up tip-in off a Jeremiah Fears miss, making it 24-23. But on the next possession, Edgecombe drew contact and did what great players do - he finished the job.
Semifinal Showdowns: Stars on the Rise
The night’s action kicked off with two semifinals that gave fans a glimpse of the league’s next wave of talent - and some sibling rivalry, too.
In the first semifinal, San Antonio rookie Dylan Harper had a moment he won’t forget anytime soon. With the game on the line, he found himself isolated against his older brother, Ron Harper Jr., and calmly buried a step-back jumper from the right elbow to complete a comeback win for Team Melo. That shot capped off a 12-2 run that flipped the script after Team Melo trailed 32-28 to Team Austin, a squad made up of G League standouts.
Houston’s Reed Sheppard was the spark plug, hitting back-to-back threes to ignite the rally. He and UConn big man Donovan Clingan each finished with nine points, while Castle added six points and five assists in a well-rounded performance. On the other side, Team Austin leaned heavily on their frontcourt duo - Yanic Konan Niederhäuser (Clippers) and Yang Hansen (Trail Blazers) - who combined for 21 of the team’s 34 points.
In the second semifinal, Team T-Mac came out hot, building a quick 15-7 lead. But Edgecombe and Team Vince weren’t going quietly.
The 76ers rookie took over late, scoring his team’s final 10 points in a 41-36 win. His highlight?
An isolation step-back jumper over Memphis’ Cam Spencer to seal it. Edgecombe was surgical, going 6-of-8 from the field and leading all scorers with 17 points.
Cleveland’s Jaylon Tyson led Team T-Mac with 10 points and five rebounds in a strong showing of his own.
Draft Night Decisions Pay Off
This year’s Rising Stars format featured three NBA rookie-and-sophomore teams, each drafted by NBA legends Carmelo Anthony, Tracy McGrady, and Vince Carter. The honorary coaches used their first picks on some of the league’s most promising young players - Cooper Flagg (Team Melo), Kon Knueppel (Team T-Mac), and Edgecombe (Team Vince). They were joined by a fourth team, Team Austin, made up of top G League talent, continuing the league’s commitment to showcasing players from all development paths.
But when the dust settled, it was Carter’s squad - led by a poised, confident Edgecombe - that stood tallest.
The Takeaway
The Rising Stars Challenge is always more than just a fun exhibition. It’s a glimpse into what’s coming next.
And if Friday night was any indication, the league’s future is in good hands. VJ Edgecombe didn’t just play well - he delivered in the clutch, showed leadership, and put his name on the map in a big way.
This wasn’t just about one player, though. From Sheppard’s sharpshooting to Castle’s all-around game and Harper’s cold-blooded bucket over his brother, the night was packed with moments that reminded us why this event matters.
The stars are rising - and they’re rising fast.