Inside The Spurs

Spurs Youngsters Shine in Castrol Rising Stars, Harper Hits Game-Winner Over Brother

Dylan Harper went right at his big brother Ron Harper Jr. and bumped him off before a game-winning jumper. Stephon Castle and Carter Bryant also added to their highlight reels on the first night of All-Star Weekend.
Tom Petrini|
Feb 13, 2026; Inglewood, California, USA; Team Melo guard Dylan Harper (2) of the San Antonio Spurs and Stephon Castle (5) of the San Antonio Spurs defend against Team Austin frontcourt Yang Hansen (16) of the Portland Trail Blazers during an NBA All Star Rising Stars game at Intuit Dome. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images
Feb 13, 2026; Inglewood, California, USA; Team Melo guard Dylan Harper (2) of the San Antonio Spurs and Stephon Castle (5) of the San Antonio Spurs defend against Team Austin frontcourt Yang Hansen (16) of the Portland Trail Blazers during an NBA All Star Rising Stars game at Intuit Dome. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images | Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images

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LOS ANGELES - A trio of Spurs youngsters put on a show during Castrol Rising Stars at All-Star Weekend, with all of them winning a game and one of them securing lifelong family bragging rights.

Stephon Castle returned to the event after earning MVP honors last year, and was joined by his rookie Spurs teammates Carter Bryant and Dylan Harper, who hit the game winner over his older brother Ron Harper Jr.

"Obviously great young talent, and obviously a bright future for all three of us," Castle said after the game. "I was happy to share the court together. Me and Dylan played against Carter for the first time too."

READ MORE: Which Spurs Are Participating in NBA All-Star 2026?

The Slash Bros pairing of Castle and Harper linked up on Team Melo and played first, starting and finishing a win in the first round.

READ MORE: 'Pretty Incredible' Harper is Giving Spurs Déjà Vu

Castle opened the game with three assists to his UConn teammate Donovan Clingan, first on an alley-oop lob, then on a cut, then again as the big man lurked in the dunker spot.

Castle also got to his spots in the mid-range, drilling a pair of jumpers as Team Melo got out to a 16-12 lead.

Team Austin fought hard and built a lead, but late in the game Harper forced a turnover that helped swing it in Team Melo's favor. Castle came back into the game and dimed Reed Sheppard on a corner 3 before driving the lane for free throws.

With his team sitting at 38 points a bucket away from the win, Dylan Harper went right at Ron Harper Jr. with every crossover in his bag before putting his elbow into his big brother's chest and stepping back for a mid-range jumper for the win.

Ahead of the game, both Dylan and Ron Jr. said they'd beat the other in the driveway after the last such game ended early on account of too much rough play.

"Weak-a** bump," Harper Jr. said. "Nah it was a good move, I'll give it to him. When he pushed it up the floor I kinda had an idea what he was doing... guy had the ball for 18 seconds, you better score."

READ MORE: Spurs Rookie Dylan Harper is Experiencing Another 'First'

Harper finished with 4 points and the game-winner he'll get to brag about at every Harper family holiday dinner henceforth, while Castle contributed 6 points and 5 assists. They advanced to the Final.

Team Melo guard Dylan Harper (2) of the San Antonio Spurs reacts during an NBA All Star Rising Stars game.
Feb 13, 2026; Inglewood, California, USA; Team Melo guard Dylan Harper (2) of the San Antonio Spurs reacts during an NBA All Star Rising Stars game at Intuit Dome. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images | Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

In the second game of the night, Carter Bryant came off the bench for Team Vince. In an on-brand moment, he attempted to break up a lob in his first play. On a transition break, the Riverside, California native got up for a little warmup ahead of the Dunk Contest.

Bryant showed a little nuance, pumping and pivoting down low for a fun little layup.

Bryant finished with 4 points for team Vince, setting up a date with his Spurs teammates in the Final.

READ MORE: Why Carter Bryant is Spurs' Next Defensive Star

Harper and Castle picked up right where they left off in the championship game. Steph assisted Clingan on a three, then Harper gave it to the big man in the same spot. Harper created his own look for 3, then caught and fired in the corner.

Bryant checked into the game and said something playful to Harper, who was at the free throw line. A few possessions later, Bryant lined up a 3 and laced it. Then he launched to catch a long-distance lob.

Castle hit a shot to put his team in front 24-23, but rookie V.J. Edgecomb got to the line on the other end and won the game there. Bryant was all smiles during the post-game jersey swap with his teammates, who looked a bit more terse after coming out on the losing end.

"I don't know if they have hard feelings, but I'm great," Bryant said. "I'm amazing right now."

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Tom Petrini
TOM PETRINI

Tom Petrini has covered Spurs basketball for the last decade, first for Project Spurs and then for KENS 5 in San Antonio. After leaving the newsroom he co-founded the Silver and Black Coffee Hour, a weekly podcast where he catches up on Spurs news with friends Aaron Blackerby and Zach Montana. Tom lives in Austin with his partner Jess and their dogs Dottie and Guppy. His other interests include motorsports and making a nice marinara sauce.

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