By Eurohoops Team/ info@eurohoops.net
Zaccharie Risacher has replaced Ajay Mitchell on Team T-Mac for the 2026 Castrol Rising Stars.
With the Belgian guard sidelined due to an abdominal strain, the 20-year-old French forward was called up by the NBA. For the second consecutive year, Risacher will join forces with fellow French standout Alex Sarr.
The league announced the roster change on Tuesday.
Per the press release: “Atlanta Hawks forward Zaccharie Risacher will replace injured Oklahoma City Thunder guard Ajay Mitchell on Team T-Mac in the 2026 Castrol Rising Stars. The annual Rising Stars showcase will take place on Friday, Feb. 13 at Intuit Dome in Inglewood, Calif., as part of NBA All-Star 2026, streaming at 9 p.m. ET on Peacock.
Risacher will compete in Castrol Rising Stars for the second straight year after making his debut as a rookie last season. A 2024-25 Kia NBA All-Rookie First Team selection, the French native is averaging 10.7 points and 3.5 rebounds in 41 games this season.
Mitchell is unable to participate in Castrol Rising Stars because of an abdominal strain. He earned his selection as a sophomore in a vote by NBA assistant coaches.
Risacher joins Team T-Mac, led by Tracy McGrady, one of four NBC Sports NBA analysts serving as honorary coaches for Castrol Rising Stars. McGrady, Carmelo Anthony (Team Melo) and Vince Carter (Team Vince) previously drafted their teams from a pool of 21 NBA rookies and sophomores. Austin Rivers is the honorary coach of Team Austin, made up of players who have played in NBA G League games this season.”
Rosters
Team Melo: Cooper Flagg (Dallas Mavericks), Reed Sheppard (Houston Rockets), Stephon Castle (San Antonio Spurs), Dylan Harper (San Antonio Spurs), Jeremiah Fears (New Orleans Pelicans), Donovan Clingan (Portland Trail Blazers), and Collin Murray-Boyles (Toronto Raptors).
Team T-Mac: Kon Knueppel (Charlotte Hornets), Kel’el Ware (Miami Heat), Tre Johnson (Washington Wizards), Alex Sarr (Washington Wizards), Jaylon Tytson (Cleveland Cavaliers), Zaccharie Risacher (Atlanta Hawks), and Cam Spencer (Memphis Grizzlies).
Team Vince: VJ Edgecombe (Philadelphia 76ers), Derik Queen (New Orleans Pelicans), Kyshawn George (Washington Wizards), Matas Buzelis (Chicago Bulls), Egor Demin (Brooklyn Nets), Cedric Coward (Memphis Grizzlies), and Jaylen Wells (Memphis Grizzlies).
Team Austin: Sean East II (Salt Lake City Stars), Ron Harper Jr. (Boston Celtics), Yanic Konan Niederhauser (Los Angeles Clippers), Alijah Martin (Toronto Raptors), Tristen Newton (Houston Rockets), Yang Hansen (Portland Trail Blazers), and Mac McClung (Chicago Bulls).