From Rookie of the Year Kon Knueppel to Cooper Flagg and beyond, discover the top NBA rookies who made their mark in the 2025-26 season.
Key Takeaways
- Kon Knueppel won NBA Rookie of the Year with 19 ppg, 5.3 rpg, and 3.4 apg for the Charlotte Hornets.
- Cooper Flagg finished second in ROY voting with 20.3 ppg, 6.6 rpg, and 4.6 apg for the Dallas Mavericks.
- VJ Edgecombe rounded out the top three with 15.9 ppg, 5.6 rpg, and 4 apg for the Philadelphia 76ers.
- Dylan Harper and Maxime Raynaud made the All-Rookie First Team with strong seasons.
- The 2025 draft class featured multiple franchise-altering talents at the top of the draft.
Top 10 NBA Rookies Ranking
The 2025-26 NBA rookie class delivered exceptional talent across all positions. Here are the top 10 rookies based on performance, impact, and voting for Rookie of the Year and All-Rookie Team honors.
1. Kon Knueppel, G, Charlotte Hornets
Knueppel delivered a historic rookie season to win NBA Rookie of the Year. Averaging 19 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 3.4 assists per game, the fourth overall pick became the face of Charlotte's rebuild. His ability to impact winning games was almost unthinkable for a rookie.
Season Stats: 19.0 PPG, 5.3 RPG, 3.4 APG, 1.2 SPG, .458 FG%, .362 3P%
2. Cooper Flagg, F, Dallas Mavericks
The first overall pick lived up to the hype with 20.3 points, 6.6 rebounds, and 4.6 assists per game. Flagg's two-way play and versatility made him an immediate star in Dallas, finishing second in ROY voting in a tight race.
Season Stats: 20.3 PPG, 6.6 RPG, 4.6 APG, 1.2 BPG, .468 FG%, .295 3P%
3. VJ Edgecombe, G, Philadelphia 76ers
Edgecombe consistently ranked in the top three throughout the season, finishing with 15.9 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 4 assists per game. The third overall pick provided steady playmaking and scoring for Philadelphia.
Season Stats: 15.9 PPG, 5.6 RPG, 4.0 APG, 1.1 SPG, .442 FG%, .338 3P%
4. Dylan Harper, G, San Antonio Spurs
The second overall pick showed flashes of brilliance with 11.5 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 3.8 assists per game. Harper's playmaking and defensive potential suggest a bright future in San Antonio.
Season Stats: 11.5 PPG, 3.4 RPG, 3.8 APG, 1.3 SPG, .408 FG%, .335 3P%
5. Maxime Raynaud, C, Sacramento Kings
A surprise standout as the 42nd overall pick, Raynaud averaged 11.9 points and 7.3 rebounds per game. His interior scoring and rebounding provided Sacramento with unexpected value.
Season Stats: 11.9 PPG, 7.3 RPG, 1.3 APG, .512 FG%, .286 3P%
6. Ace Bailey, F, Utah Jazz
The fifth overall pick showed why he was highly touted with 13.4 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 1.8 assists per game. Bailey's scoring versatility made him a key piece of Utah's young core.
Season Stats: 13.4 PPG, 4.1 RPG, 1.8 APG, .443 FG%, .344 3P%
7. Cedric Coward, F, Memphis Grizzlies
Coward provided Memphis with 13.4 points, 6.2 rebounds, and 2.8 assists per game. The 11th overall pick showed two-way potential and became a reliable rotation player.
Season Stats: 13.4 PPG, 6.2 RPG, 2.8 APG, 1.0 SPG, .445 FG%, .312 3P%
8. Derik Queen, F, New Orleans Pelicans
Queen averaged 11.3 points, 6.8 rebounds, and 3.8 assists per game. The 13th overall pick showed versatility and playmaking ability for New Orleans.
Season Stats: 11.3 PPG, 6.8 RPG, 3.8 APG, .432 FG%, .298 3P%
9. Jeremiah Fears, G, New Orleans Pelicans
One of the youngest rookies in the class, Fears averaged 13.1 points, 3.6 rebounds, and 3.2 assists per game. His speed and elite ball handling showed star potential despite efficiency struggles.
Season Stats: 13.1 PPG, 3.6 RPG, 3.2 APG, 1.0 SPG, .398 FG%, .285 3P%
10. Tre Johnson, G, Washington Wizards
Johnson provided Washington with steady guard play, averaging 9.2 points, 3.2 rebounds, and 3.7 assists per game. The 48th overall pick outperformed his draft position significantly.
The Rookie of the Year Race
The 2025-26 NBA Rookie of the Year race was one of the most competitive in recent memory, with multiple legitimate contenders throughout the season.
Knueppel vs Flagg
The race came down to Knueppel and Flagg, with Knueppel ultimately winning due to his superior efficiency and team impact. It was going to take a historic season to keep Flagg away from the award, and Knueppel delivered it.
Edgecombe's Consistency
Edgecombe held the third spot on the Kia Rookie Ladder for most of the season, providing Philadelphia with steady two-way play and making a strong case for All-Rookie First Team honors.
Surprise Performances
Maxime Raynaud's emergence as the 42nd overall pick was one of the season's biggest surprises, providing Sacramento with interior production that far exceeded expectations.
2025-26 NBA All-Rookie Teams
The NBA announced the 2025-26 All-Rookie First and Second Teams, recognizing the top first-year performers:
All-Rookie First Team
- Kon Knueppel — Charlotte Hornets
- Cooper Flagg — Dallas Mavericks
- VJ Edgecombe — Philadelphia 76ers
- Dylan Harper — San Antonio Spurs
- Maxime Raynaud — Sacramento Kings
All-Rookie Second Team
- Cedric Coward — Memphis Grizzlies
- Ace Bailey — Utah Jazz
- Derik Queen — New Orleans Pelicans
- Jeremiah Fears — New Orleans Pelicans
- Tre Johnson — Washington Wizards
Rookies Who Made Playoff Impact
Several rookies played crucial roles in their teams' playoff pushes:
Dallas Mavericks
Cooper Flagg's two-way play elevated Dallas to playoff contention. His versatility allowed the Mavericks to match up with any opponent.
Philadelphia 76ers
VJ Edgecombe provided Philadelphia with steady guard play and defensive intensity, becoming a key rotation piece in their playoff run.
Charlotte Hornets
While Charlotte missed the playoffs, Kon Knueppel's Rookie of the Year season gave the franchise a cornerstone to build around for future playoff pushes.
Investment Outlook for Rookie Cards
For sports card investors, the 2025-26 NBA rookie class offers several opportunities:
Kon Knueppel
As the Rookie of the Year, Knueppel's cards have strong short-term and long-term potential. Charlotte's market size may limit ceiling, but ROY winners historically maintain strong card value.
Cooper Flagg
Playing in Dallas boosts Flagg's card value due to the Mavericks' large market and national exposure. His first-overall pick status and two-way play suggest star potential.
VJ Edgecombe
Philadelphia's large market and Edgecombe's consistent performance make his cards attractive. His All-Rookie First Team selection adds long-term value.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who won the NBA Rookie of the Year in 2025-26?
Kon Knueppel of the Charlotte Hornets won the 2025-26 NBA Rookie of the Year award. The fourth overall pick averaged 19 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 3.4 assists per game, delivering a historic rookie season that narrowly edged out Cooper Flagg.
Which NBA rookie led in scoring during 2025-26?
Cooper Flagg of the Dallas Mavericks led all NBA rookies in scoring during the 2025-26 season with 20.3 points per game. The first overall pick also contributed 6.6 rebounds and 4.6 assists per game.
Who made the NBA All-Rookie First Team in 2025-26?
The 2025-26 NBA All-Rookie First Team consisted of Kon Knueppel (Charlotte), Cooper Flagg (Dallas), VJ Edgecombe (Philadelphia), Dylan Harper (San Antonio), and Maxime Raynaud (Sacramento).
Which NBA rookie was the biggest surprise in 2025-26?
Maxime Raynaud of the Sacramento Kings was the biggest surprise of the 2025-26 rookie class. Drafted 42nd overall, Raynaud averaged 11.9 points and 7.3 rebounds per game, far exceeding expectations and earning All-Rookie First Team honors.
How many first-round picks were in the top 10 rookies?
Seven of the top 10 NBA rookies were first-round picks: Cooper Flagg (1st), Dylan Harper (2nd), VJ Edgecombe (3rd), Kon Knueppel (4th), Ace Bailey (5th), Cedric Coward (11th), and Derik Queen (13th). Maxime Raynaud (42nd) and Tre Johnson (48th) were notable late-round success stories.
Which NBA team had the best rookie class in 2025-26?
The New Orleans Pelicans had a strong rookie class with two players on the All-Rookie Second Team (Derik Queen and Jeremiah Fears). However, the Dallas Mavericks (Cooper Flagg) and Charlotte Hornets (Kon Knueppel) had the most impactful individual rookie performances.
