]Heading into the final stretch of the NBA season, 2026’s rookie class is turning heads not just with hype but with real, measurable impact: league-wide, rookies are averaging a combined 16.4 points per game, the highest for a first-year crop since 2018 and up nearly 20 percent from last year’s class. That surge proves this anticipated group has not disappointed. Cooper Flagg of the Dallas Mavericks leads the way as the clear favorite for Rookie of the Year, with Kon Knueppel close behind, elevating the Charlotte Hornets into playoff position, and VJ Edgecombe making big contributions for the Philadelphia 76ers. Tre Johnson and Derik Queen are posting promising numbers even on teams in flux, while Dylan Harper and Colin Murray-Boyles have locked in important roles on conference contenders.
Sportsvival’s first installment of its top rookie rankings for the 2025-26 NBA season.
Cooper Flagg- Dallas Mavericks
Flagg opened the season under the glare of impossible expectations and, by mid-December, his advanced metrics told the story: at that point, his Estimated Plus-Minus (EPM) sat at just +0.8, well below the levels of historic rookie standouts like Luka Dončić (+2.3) or Paolo Banchero (+1.5) at the same age. But Flagg's trajectory has been nothing short of explosive since the New Year. Over his last 25 games, his EPM has surged to +3.4, now putting him in company with the best rookie regular season peaks of the past decade. The box score highlights are plenty: 49 points against Knueppel’s Hornets on Jan. 29, 34 against the Houston Rockets, 36 and 32 in two marquee matchups facing the Boston Celtics, all against playoff teams. The numbers are just the start of what he means for Dallas. The only question now is if Dallas can put the pieces around him in the next two years better than they did for Luka Dončić; otherwise, it risks repeating the Luka era, relying on Flagg to do everything on both ends of the floor.
2. VJ Edgecombe, Philadelphia 76ers
Most people would pick Knueppel, but I will give the Baylor product the edge because he was expected to step in and contribute on a veteran team and, at times, be a star on a team that is expected to contend in some circles. What tipped the scales in Edgecombe’s favor is his ability to make an immediate, winning impact in a high-pressure environment, particularly with his defensive versatility and his capacity to fill in multiple roles when injuries hit the Sixers’ core. He is a plus defender, a solid passer, and a quality ball-handler. Edgecombe is so valuable that the Sixers were comfortable trading Jared McClain to the Oklahoma City Thunder, as he has helped weather the storm with injuries to Joel Embiid and Paul George.
3. Kon Knueppel, Charlotte Hornets
Flagg’s former Duke teammate, Knueppel, has averaged 19 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 3.5 assists per game while posting rare 50-40-90 splits as a rookie, helping the Charlotte Hornets qualify for the play-in tournament. Knueppel has made an impact for Charlotte, which has a core of Brandon Miller, LaMelo Ball, and Moussa Diabate, and is emerging as its best piece for the future.
4. Colin Murray-Boyles, Toronto Raptors
Murray-Boyles has emerged as the best interior defender in this year's class. Over the past 10 games, he has averaged two blocks and 1.2 steals per game. His defensive impact goes beyond counting stats: opponents are shooting just 54 percent at the rim when guarded by Murray-Boyles, the lowest mark among rookie centers, and his +1.8 defensive EPM leads all first-year big men. The ninth overall pick out of South Carolina has provided lockdown skills and athleticism playing center despite being only 6-foot-6.
5. Cedric Coward, Memphis Grizzlies
Coward is averaging 13 points, six rebounds, and three assists on a team that is in transition with the trade of Jaren Jackson III and playing without star point guard Ja Morant. Coward may not be a future superstar; however, he will be a steady piece of Memphis’ future, which will not include Morant because of his maturity coming into the league and his ability to be a good two-way player.
6. Tre Johnson, Washington Wizards
Johnson has benefited most from the CJ McCollum-Trae Young trade, not only for the future, but also because he has taken advantage of the freed-up minutes for the Texas product. He averages 40-45-90 overall and has already cemented his role on his team for when Young and Anthony Davis make their respective debuts with the Wizards.
7. Derik Queen, New Orleans Pelicans
In another lost season with unfulfilled expectations in New Orleans, where persistent injuries have derailed the Pelicans’ ambitions year after year, Derik Queen, a Maryland product, has been the lone bright spot. The string of setbacks, from Zion Williamson’s recurring absences to other key players spending significant time sidelined, has become a core part of the recent Pelicans narrative. Against this backdrop, Queen’s emergence stands out all the more—he is building a good core with fellow rookie Jeremiah Fears, showing resilience and promise despite the revolving door of lineups. However, because New Orleans was able to tank by owing its first-round pick to Atlanta for the draft-day acquisition of Queen, they are playing veterans such as Zion Williamson (if healthy) and other veteran pieces; his numbers dipped a bit.
8. Dylan Harper, San Antonio Spurs
Harper's stat line is not the most eye-popping of this rookie class, but his impact on winning basketball, by the Spurs using his ability to go downhill and attack the rim, and his perimeter defense, is invaluable to San Antonio. He is the best two-way wing they have had since Kawhi Leonard. Harper, Wemby, and De’Aaron Fox have the Spurs second in the Western Conference.
9. Ace Bailey, Utah Jazz
Bailey is steadily progressing into the NBA player the Jazz envisioned. After averaging just 6.1 points through December, he has bumped his scoring to 11.3 points per game since January while also raising his shooting percentage from 39 to 45 percent in that span. Defensively, Bailey has become a plus defender, drawing praise from Jazz coach Will Hardy, who recently said, "Ace is starting to see the game slow down for him—he’s taking pride on defense and making much better reads on both ends." He is also making better shot-making decisions and meshing well with newly acquired Jaren Jackson Jr. While Bailey’s 1.7 assists per game may not leap off the page, his playmaking and confidence as a facilitator are clearly trending upward from month to month.
10. Maxime Raynaud, Sacramento Kings
The No. 42 pick out of France recently scored 21 points and 19 rebounds in a loss against New Orleans, and he is in the top 10 among rookies in blocks and rebounds. He could be a solid replacement to permanently replace Domantas Sabonis if the Kings elect to move on from the longtime All-Star.
You can follow Brandon on all social media accounts: @bwalkerdadon. Think you have your own rookie rankings or sleeper picks? Share your list on social media using #SportsvivalRookies, and join the conversation—let’s see which rising stars you’ve got your eyes on.
(photo courtesy of the Sporting News)