NBA Rising Stars Challenge delivered late-game drama Friday night as Team Vince edged Team Melo 25-24 in the championship game at Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California.
The title was decided in a “next bucket wins” format, and Philadelphia 76ers rookie VJ Edgecombe sealed it at the line.
Edgecombe calmly knocked down two free throws to cap the one-point victory and secure MVP honors after scoring 17 points in the semifinal and six more in the final.
Team Melo had a chance to win on the previous possession but failed to create a clean look from beyond the arc.
San Antonio rookie Stephon Castle tipped in a Jeremiah Fears miss to give Team Melo a 24-23 edge, setting up Edgecombe’s decisive trip to the stripe.
The championship game was defined by pace and shot selection, with Team Vince shooting 44.0 percent from the field while limiting Team Melo to 42.1 percent.
Carter Bryant provided a key boost off the bench with five points on 2-for-2 shooting, including the only made three-pointer for Team Vince in the final.
Dylan Harper led Team Melo with eight points, hitting 2-of-4 from deep, while Donovan Clingan added six points on 2-of-3 shooting.
Earlier in the night, Team Melo advanced with a 40-34 win over Team Austin.
Reed Sheppard and Clingan scored nine points apiece in the opener, and Sheppard’s back-to-back three-pointers fueled a 12-2 closing run.
Team Austin received 11 points from Yanic Konan Niederhauser and 10 from Hansen Yang, but shot 43.8 percent overall.
Team Vince reached the final by defeating Team T-Mac 41-36 in the second semifinal.
Edgecombe dominated that matchup with 17 points on 6-of-8 shooting, including three three-pointers, and scored his team’s final 10 points.
Jaylon Tyson led Team T-Mac with 10 points and five rebounds, but his group was outscored 10-0 during a decisive late stretch.
Team Vince shot 46.9 percent in the semifinal and assisted on nine of its 15 made field goals, showing balance alongside Edgecombe’s shot-making.
The 2026 Rising Stars rosters were drafted by honorary coaches Carmelo Anthony, Tracy McGrady and Vince Carter.
Edgecombe, a key contributor for the 76ers this season, carried that momentum into All-Star weekend with efficient scoring and poise in late-game situations.
In a format that rewards execution under pressure, Team Vince converted from the line and protected the ball, committing just one turnover in the final.
