Just a couple of weeks out from All-Star Weekend, the Oklahoma City Thunder are adding another name to the festivities - and it's a well-deserved nod. Rookie guard Ajay Mitchell has officially been selected to participate in the 2026 Rising Stars Challenge, continuing a breakout campaign that’s turned heads across the league.
The Rising Stars event, set for Friday, February 13 at LA’s Intuit Dome, showcases the NBA’s top rookies and second-year players in a fast-paced, mini-tournament format. This year, 21 NBA players will be split into three teams via a draft on Tuesday, January 27.
A fourth team, made up of G League talent, rounds out the field. Coaching the squads?
A lineup of hoops royalty: Carmelo Anthony, Vince Carter, Tracy McGrady, and Austin Rivers will each take the reins.
For Mitchell, this moment is a reflection of the leap he’s made in Year 2. After flashing two-way potential last season before injuries cut his campaign short, the 23-year-old has come back stronger and more confident.
He’s averaging 14.1 points per game on an efficient 48.7% shooting, along with 3.7 assists and 3.5 rebounds. That kind of production doesn’t just earn you a spot in Rising Stars - it puts you firmly on the radar as one of the league’s emerging backcourt threats.
Mitchell’s selection also adds to what’s shaping up to be a banner All-Star Weekend for the Thunder. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has already been named a starter for the All-Star Game, continuing his ascent as one of the league’s premier guards. And don’t be surprised if Chet Holmgren joins him - the Thunder have been vocal in their push for the rookie big man to earn a reserve spot, and his play has certainly backed it up.
For a young OKC squad that’s been steadily climbing the Western Conference standings, these individual honors are more than just accolades - they’re signs of a team that’s building something special. Mitchell’s Rising Stars invite is the latest milestone in a season where the Thunder’s future is becoming the present.