Grizzlies showcase rising talent: Coward, Spencer, and Wells star in Rising Stars, fueling Memphis' exciting youth movement on the national stage.
The Memphis Grizzlies will have a strong presence on one of the NBA’s biggest stages, with three players selected to compete in the 2026 Rising Stars Game during All-Star Weekend.
Cedric Coward, Cam Spencer and Jaylen Wells were named to the annual showcase, which highlights the league’s top rookies, second-year players and standout G League performers. The game will be played Feb. 13 at the Intuit Dome in Los Angeles as part of the NBA’s All-Star festivities.
Coward’s selection caps an impressive opening chapter to his NBA career. The Grizzlies acquired Coward with the No. 11 overall pick in the 2025 draft, and he has quickly emerged as a consistent contributor in his first season. Through 40 games, Coward is averaging 14.0 points and 6.4 rebounds while playing 26.6 minutes per contest.
Coward has shown efficiency and poise beyond his experience level, shooting 47.3% from the field and 85.0% from the free-throw line. He has also averaged 2.9 assists, providing secondary playmaking while maintaining a positive on-court impact, reflected in a plus-55 plus-minus.
Spencer earned his Rising Stars nod on the strength of a productive second season that has solidified his role in Memphis’ rotation. In 42 games, Spencer is averaging 12.0 points per game while serving as a steady facilitator, posting 5.5 assists per contest. His shooting has been a defining part of his growth, as he is connecting on 48.4% of his field-goal attempts and 46.4% from 3-point range.
Spencer’s efficiency has been among the best in the Rising Stars field, highlighted by a true shooting percentage of 66.9. He has also remained reliable defensively, averaging 0.7 steals while committing relatively few turnovers for a guard with significant ball-handling responsibilities.
Wells rounds out the Grizzlies’ trio and will return to the Rising Stars Game after participating last season. His second consecutive selection reflects his continued development and steady presence in the lineup. Wells is averaging 11.9 points, 3.5 rebounds and 1.7 assists across 43 games while logging a team-high 27.0 minutes per night among the three honorees.
While Wells’ shooting numbers have fluctuated, he has remained a regular contributor on both ends of the floor, averaging nearly one steal per game and often taking on challenging defensive assignments. His repeat appearance places him among a small group of Memphis players to earn multiple Rising Stars selections.
The Grizzlies’ representation continues a recent pattern of strong showings in the event. Wells and Zach Edey represented the franchise last season, while former Memphis selections include Desmond Bane in 2022, Ja Morant and Brandon Clarke in 2021, Morant alongside Jaren Jackson Jr. in 2020, and Jackson in 2019.
The 2026 Rising Stars Game will feature a four-team tournament format. Semifinal games will be played to a target score of 40 points, with the championship game decided at 25 points, emphasizing pace and shot-making over traditional game structure.
For Memphis, sending three players to the Rising Stars Game underscores the organization’s continued commitment to developing young talent and provides a national platform for a core that is increasingly shaping the franchise’s direction.