What happened: Macklin Celebrini got the first-star nod Saturday, followed by Luca Cagnoni and Will Smith in the remaining spots. The honors put three prominent young pieces at the center of the night's postgame recognition.

Why it matters: Celebrini and Smith are key parts of the 2026-27 build, so any early preseason traction around them carries weight as camp decisions tighten. Cagnoni's spot keeps attention on Luca Cagnoni's preseason rise as roster battles continue.

What to watch: The next preseason games will show whether Celebrini, Cagnoni and Smith keep surfacing in top roles before opening night.