CLEVELAND, Ohio — The transformation of Cavs second-year swingman Jaylon Tyson is nothing short of remarkable. Named to the 2026 Rising Stars team, Tyson has earned his place among the premier young talents in the NBA, joining a distinguished list of 24 Cavaliers participants since the event’s inception in 1994.
Cavs head coach Kenny Atkinson lauded Tyson’s relentless work ethic, attributing his impressive performance to habits that make him feel as seasoned as a ten-year veteran. “It’s pretty amazing,” Atkinson noted, emphasizing the impact of Tyson’s dedication on his game.
After a rookie season where he played limited minutes, Tyson is now part of a select group featuring 21 NBA rookies and sophomores, as well as seven players competing in the NBA G League. Selected as the No. 20 pick in the 2024 NBA Draft, Tyson is one of 11 sophomores chosen for this year’s Rising Stars exhibition, alongside notable players like reigning Rookie of the Year, Stephon Castle of the San Antonio Spurs.
The Rising Stars event, which showcases young talent in a mini tournament format, will take place on February 13 at the Intuit Dome in Los Angeles during NBA All-Star Weekend. Legendary Hall-of-Famers Carmelo Anthony, Vince Carter, and Tracy McGrady will serve as honorary coaches, adding prestige to the competition ahead of the team draft on Tuesday night.
This season, Tyson has made impressive strides, averaging 13.7 points on 51.3% shooting and an outstanding 46.2% from three-point range, along with 5.5 rebounds and 2.2 assists over 27.8 minutes per game. His scoring average marks a significant leap from his rookie year, where he averaged just 3.6 points per game. This improvement represented the second-best scoring increase in the league among players with at least 40 games played this season and 10 last season.
Among first- and second-year players, Tyson stands out as one of only nine athletes averaging at least 13.5 points and 5.0 rebounds, and the only one in this group who shoots above 45% from beyond the arc. His remarkable evolving performance has not only solidified his role in the Cavaliers but also highlights the bright future ahead for this burgeoning star in the NBA.