Chicago Bulls' Buzelis Shines as Team Vince Wins Rising Stars

Rookie V.J. Edgecombe leads Team Vince to victory in the NBA All-Star Rising Stars event, showcasing the league's emerging talent.

Feb. 14, 2026 at 12:07pm

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In the NBA Rising Stars competition held in Inglewood, California, Philadelphia 76ers rookie V.J. Edgecombe was named MVP after leading Team Vince to a 25-24 victory over Team Melo. Chicago Bulls forward Matas Buzelis also contributed to Team Vince's win, continuing to demonstrate his potential as an emerging player for the Bulls. The event featured a unique four-team tournament involving NBA rookies, sophomores, and G League prospects, highlighting the depth of young talent entering the league.

Why it matters

The Rising Stars event provides a platform for ambitious young players to showcase their skills and resilience, building anticipation for their future careers. The spirited competition, driven by veteran leadership and personal motivation, underscores the depth of talent entering the NBA ranks, with players like Edgecombe and Buzelis representing the next generation of stars.

The details

Edgecombe's standout performance included notable scoring bursts, with nearly half of Team Vince's points coming from him during the semifinals. His accurate shooting, including three 3-pointers, outpaced his rival rookie, Charlotte's Kon Knueppel. Buzelis, who was previously associated with G League Ignite, demonstrated steady play throughout the tournament, reaffirming his presence as an emerging player for the Bulls. The event also featured a memorable matchup between brothers Dylan Harper and Ron Harper Jr., adding an emotional edge to the competition.

  • The NBA Rising Stars event was held on Friday, February 14, 2026, marking the start of the NBA All-Star weekend.
  • Edgecombe's game-winning free throws in the final secured the 25-24 victory for Team Vince.

The players

V.J. Edgecombe

A rookie for the Philadelphia 76ers who was named MVP of the NBA Rising Stars event after leading Team Vince to victory.

Matas Buzelis

A forward for the Chicago Bulls who contributed to Team Vince's win in the Rising Stars competition, continuing to demonstrate his potential as an emerging player for the Bulls.

Dylan Harper

A guard for the San Antonio Spurs who hit a buzzer-beater to end the first semifinal, defeating his older brother, Ron Harper Jr.

Stephon Castle

Last season's Rookie of the Year and previous Rising Stars MVP, who teamed up with Dylan Harper on Team Melo.

Vince Carter, Carmelo Anthony, Tracy McGrady, and Austin Rivers

Veteran NBA stars who served as team captains, providing leadership and motivation to the younger players.

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What they’re saying

“We all wanted to compete, and I wanted to win, I really hate losing, and we had a chance to win it all, so why not go out there and win?”

— V.J. Edgecombe

“(Carter) was telling us, 'Just go! Just go! Keep playing hard!' And we feed off of that. We just started rolling.”

— V.J. Edgecombe

“He (said) he ain't coming to watch if I ain't going to play hard. I was like, 'Man, I'm going to play hard so at least it's not a waste of his time.'”

— V.J. Edgecombe

“You think I've never beat him one-on-one (before)?”

— Dylan Harper

What’s next

The NBA will closely monitor the progress of players like Edgecombe and Buzelis throughout the remainder of the season, as they continue to develop and showcase their talents at the professional level.

The takeaway

The Rising Stars event highlighted the depth of young talent entering the NBA, with players like Edgecombe and Buzelis demonstrating their potential to become future stars. The spirited competition, driven by veteran leadership and personal motivation, suggests promising developments for the league's future.