Brotherly Gesture at TD Garden
On January 10, 2026, at TD Garden in Boston, a touching moment unfolded as Ron Harper Jr., sporting jersey number 13 for the Boston Celtics, exchanged jerseys with his brother Dylan Harper, who plays for the San Antonio Spurs. This brotherly gesture highlighted the significance of family ties in the competitive world of sports.
2026 Rising Stars Mini-Tournament
As part of the festivities leading up to the NBA All-Star weekend, the Castrol 2026 Rising Stars mini-tournament will feature four teams consisting of NBA rookies and sophomores alongside a squad of G League talent. This exciting event is scheduled for February 13, taking place at the Intuit Dome, home of the LA Clippers. Legendary NBA figures—Carmelo Anthony, Tracy McGrady, and Vince Carter—will assume coaching responsibilities for the rookie and sophomore teams, while former player and NBC analyst Austin Rivers will lead the G League contingent.
Player Highlights
Dylan Harper, a former standout at Rutgers, was selected as the 12th overall pick for Anthony’s team. His brother, Ron Harper Jr., made waves by being chosen second in the G League draft. Currently, Dylan Harper has shown promise in his debut season, averaging 10.4 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 3.5 assists per game, while playing around 21 minutes per game. Conversely, Ron Harper Jr. has had a more challenging experience in the NBA, with a season average of 1.9 points across seven games, but has excelled in the G League with impressive stats of 26.9 points, 5 rebounds, and 4 assists over eight games.
Selection Process for Rising Stars
To qualify for the Rising Stars tournament, rookies and sophomores had to meet specific criteria as outlined by the NBA. A coalition of assistant coaches evaluated a pool of 21 candidates, ranking them based on performances. The top ten from each group earned their spots, while the final selection came from the highest scorer among the 11th place finishers in the rankings. This approach ensured a balanced representation of talent, with one additional sophomore being included in the selection.
Tournament Structure
The competition will be structured into semifinal matches, where Team A will take on Team B, and Team C will face Team D, as the tournament aims for a thrilling championship showdown. Each semifinal will be won by the first team to reach 40 points, while the championship will conclude once a team reaches 25 points. Details regarding the initial matchups are still forthcoming.
