The NBA has decided on the replacement for Oklahoma City Thunder guard Ajay Mitchell in the 2026 Castrol Rising Stars game, naming Atlanta Hawks forward Zaccharie Risacher to Team T-Mac.
Mitchell is set to miss the NBA All-Star Weekend festivities due to an abdominal strain. In fact, he has not played for the Thunder for nine straight games after leaving their Jan. 21 showdown against the Milwaukee Bucks due to the injury.
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The Thunder youngster is averaging 14.1 points, 3.5 rebounds, 3.7 assists and 1.4 steals per game this season. He was selected to the Rising Stars game as a sophomore after being voted by NBA assistant coaches.
“Hawks forward Zaccharie Risacher will replace Thunder guard Ajay Mitchell on Team T-Mac in the 2026 Castrol Rising Stars (2/13, 9 PM ET, Peacock),” NBA Communications wrote on X.
“Risacher will compete in Rising Stars for the second straight year. Mitchell is out with an abdominal strain.”
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Atlanta Hawks forward Zaccharie Risacher (10) makes a play.Mike Watters-Imagn Images
(Mike Watters-Imagn Images)Zaccharie Risacher’s Rising Stars Selection
As for Risacher, he’s now heading to his second Rising Stars game after making it as a rookie in 2024-25.
Risacher is having a bit of a down year this season, averaging just 10.7 points on 45.1% shooting, along with 3.5 rebounds and 1.3 assists. As a rookie, he put up 12.6 points on 45.8% shooting, on top of 3.6 boards and 1.2 dimes.
Risacher missed 11 straight games in January due to a left knee bone bruise, but he has since returned.
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NBA Rising Stars Format
The 20-year-old Risacher, who was taken first overall in the 2025 NBA Draft, will be playing alongside Tre Johnson, Kon Knueppel, Alex Sarr, Cam Spencer, Jaylon Tyson and Kel’el Ware as part of Team T-Mac.
There are three other teams in the 2026 Castrol Rising Stars, including Team Melo (coached by Carmelo Anthony) that features Cooper Flagg, Dylan Harper, Stephon Castle, Collin Murray-Boyles, Reed Sheppard, Jeremiah Fears and Donovan Clingan.
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Team Vince, led by Vince Carter, has Matas Buzelis, Cedric Coward, Egor Denim, VJ Edgecombe, Kyshawn George, Derik Queen and Jaylen Weels.
Austin Rivers, for his part, leads Team Austin, which is composed of G League players: Sean East II, Ron Harper Jr., David Jones Garcia, Yang Hansen, Alijah Martin, Tristen Newton and Yanic Konan Niederhauser.
The four teams will play in a mini-tournament at the Los Angeles Clippers‘ Intuit Dome on Friday.
Team 1 and Team 2 will play in the first semifinal game, while Team 3 faces Team 4. The winners of both games will meet in the championship.
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Related: Jonathan Kuminga’s Status With Hawks After Warriors Trade
This story was originally published by Athlon Sports on Feb 11, 2026, where it first appeared in the NBA section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.