UConn’s 2024 Title Core Reunites at NBA Rising Stars Showcase
Back in April 2024, Dan Hurley rolled out a starting five that would etch their names into UConn history. Donovan Clingan, Cam Spencer, Stephon Castle, Tristen Newton, and Alex Karaban took the floor against Purdue in the NCAA Championship game - and walked off as back-to-back national champions. The Huskies won it all, 75-60, capping off a dominant run with a second straight title.
Fast forward to NBA All-Star Weekend 2026, and four of those five - Clingan, Spencer, Castle, and Newton - are set to reunite on a different stage: the Rising Stars event in Inglewood, California, on February 13. It’s a showcase for the league’s top rookies, sophomores, and standout G League players - and this UConn quartet is right in the thick of it.
Draft Night Reunions and Rising Stars Coaches
The Rising Stars format has evolved into a mini-tournament, with four teams coached by NBA legends. Carmelo Anthony, Tracy McGrady, and Vince Carter - all Hall of Famers - drafted squads made up of NBA rookies and sophomores. Austin Rivers, meanwhile, will lead the G League team.
The top three picks in the Rising Stars draft? All rookies: Cooper Flagg (Mavericks), Kon Knueppel (Hornets), and VJ Edgecombe (76ers). But for UConn fans, the spotlight is on the familiar faces.
- Carmelo Anthony picked Donovan Clingan and Stephon Castle
- Tracy McGrady drafted Cam Spencer
- Austin Rivers will coach Tristen Newton, who’s currently on a two-way deal with the Houston Rockets
Let’s take a closer look at how these former Huskies are faring in the pros - and what they bring to this Rising Stars stage.
Donovan Clingan - Portland Trail Blazers
Age: 21
Drafted: 7th overall, 2024
NBA Stats: 110 games (80 starts), 8.3 PPG, 9.1 RPG, 1.4 APG
This season: Averaging a double-double - 11.2 points and 11.0 boards per game, tied for third in the league in rebounds
Clingan has made the leap from college anchor to NBA force with surprising speed. His rim protection and rebounding instincts were elite at UConn, and they’ve translated well to the pros.
Now averaging a double-double, he’s become a reliable presence in the paint for Portland - and a rising name among young bigs. His blend of size, timing, and touch makes him a matchup problem, and he’s only getting better.
Cam Spencer - Memphis Grizzlies
Age: 25
Drafted: 53rd overall, 2024
NBA Stats: 68 games (13 starts), 9.0 PPG, 1.7 RPG, 4.1 APG
Notable: Career 93.5% free-throw shooter in the NBA
Spencer’s journey from second-round pick to key contributor has been all about fit and fundamentals. He’s one of the league’s most reliable shooters from the stripe and has carved out a role as a steady playmaker and floor-spacer in Memphis. Don’t let the draft slot fool you - Spencer’s basketball IQ and versatility have made him a valuable piece in the Grizzlies’ rotation.
Stephon Castle - San Antonio Spurs
Age: 20
Drafted: 2024
NBA Team: San Antonio Spurs
Castle, now suiting up for the Spurs, brings the same defensive tenacity and all-around game that made him a standout in UConn’s title run. He’s still developing his offensive consistency at the NBA level, but his length, athleticism, and ability to guard multiple positions have already turned heads. Playing under Gregg Popovich, Castle’s growth curve could be steep - and the Rising Stars game is a great platform to flash his upside.
Tristen Newton - Houston Rockets / Rio Grande Valley Vipers (G League)
Age: 24
Drafted: 49th overall, 2024
NBA Stats: 8 games, 0.4 PPG, 1.3 RPG, 0.3 APG
G League Stats: 26.8 PPG, 4.3 RPG, 4.6 APG
Newton hasn’t had much run at the NBA level yet, but his G League numbers are eye-catching. Nearly 27 points per game with solid rebounding and assist numbers show he’s making the most of his minutes with the Rio Grande Valley Vipers. He’ll suit up for Team Austin - the G League squad - and don’t be surprised if he uses this stage to make a statement.
Rising Stars Format: How It Works
The event features a four-team mini-tournament:
- Semifinal 1: Team A vs. Team B - first to 40 points wins
- Semifinal 2: Team C vs. Team D - first to 40 points wins
- Championship Game: Semifinal winners face off - first to 25 points wins
It’s a fast-paced, high-energy format designed to showcase young talent in a competitive setting. With no traditional game clock and a target score to hit, it rewards efficiency, chemistry, and playmaking - all things UConn’s former stars know a thing or two about.
The Teams
Team Melo (Carmelo Anthony):
- Cooper Flagg (Mavericks)
- Reed Sheppard (Rockets)
- Stephon Castle (Spurs)
- Dylan Harper (Spurs)
- Jeremiah Fears (Pelicans)
- Donovan Clingan (Trail Blazers)
- Collin Murray-Boyles (Raptors)
Team T-Mac (Tracy McGrady):
- Kon Knueppel (Hornets)
- Kel’el Ware (Heat)
- Tre Johnson (Wizards)
- Alex Sarr (Wizards)
- Ajay Mitchell (Thunder)
- Jaylon Tyson (Cavaliers)
- Cam Spencer (Grizzlies)
Team Vince (Vince Carter):
- VJ Edgecombe (76ers)
- Derik Queen (Pelicans)
- Kyshawn George (Wizards)
- Matas Buzelis (Bulls)
- Egor Dёmin (Nets)
- Cedric Coward (Grizzlies)
- Jaylen Wells (Grizzlies)
Team Austin (Austin Rivers - G League squad):
- Sean East II (Salt Lake City Stars)
- Ron Harper Jr. (Maine Celtics)
- David Jones Garcia (Austin Spurs)
- Yanic Konan Niederhäuser (San Diego Clippers)
- Alijah Martin (Raptors 905)
- Tristen Newton (Rio Grande Valley Vipers)
- Yang Hansen (Rip City Remix)
All eyes may be on the rookies and rising NBA stars, but for UConn fans, this is a reunion worth tuning in for. Four national champions, now carving their path in the pros, sharing the court once again - only this time, under the All-Star lights.