If this first few weeks of the NBA season are a sign of things to come, this may be the most impressive draft of rookies since… maybe forever. After last season’s underwhelming rookie class, more than a handful of first-year players have made headlines, displaying consistent glimpses of future stardom. 

Based on the few short weeks of highlights and basketball box scores, we’ve ranked our top 10 rookies in order, based on draft position, early impact, upside, contribution to wins, and then identified the next wave that could crash the top tier soon. As the season’s first full week wraps up, the NBA odds board looks as tight as ever, with multiple contenders now within striking distance of Cooper Flagg’s preseason lead.

The Top 10 Rookies of 2025-26

Compared to recent rookie classes, this one feels like the perfect storm of readiness and potential. From VJ Edgecombe’s all-gas debut to Dylan Harper’s poise under pressure, several of these young players already look like cornerstone pieces for their franchises and ranked among the 100 best NBA players this season.

1. VJ Edgecombe (Philadelphia 76ers)

Edgecombe bursts onto the scene with elite confidence and a historic debut. In just the first few days of the season, he posted 34 points, seven rebounds, and three assists in his opener, setting the best rookie debut scoring mark in franchise history.Edgecombe is averaging over 22 points, 5.8 boards, and 5.5 assists per game early on. What makes Edgecombe special is his two-way maturity; he defends with purpose, plays off-ball intelligently, and strikes as a “student of the game,” as he put it himself. 

With his strong minutes (he leads rookies in playing time) and ability to score in bunches, he stands out as the clear rookie-of-the-year frontrunner.

2. Cooper Flagg (Dallas Mavericks)

Taken No. 1 overall, Flagg came in with massive expectations and despite minor turbulence (including a left-shoulder issue and a debut where he had 10 points and 10 rebounds), Cooper has already showing flashes of what made him the consensus top pick especially when he’s focused on being aggressive. 

Cooper’s best recent performance: 22 points, four rebounds, four assists, and zero turnovers in a high-expectation game. He combines size (6-9), guard skills, and defensive versatility. The Mavericks have handed him major minutes, and his early production (13 ppg, 5.3 rpg, 2.5 apg) puts him firmly in the conversation.  It may take a few more weeks of consistency, but Flagg’s upside here is real.

3. Dylan Harper (San Antonio Spurs)

The No. 2 pick brings poise, craft, and a veteran’s feel even though he’s just arrived and playing off the bench. In the first week, Harper has averaged 14.8 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 4.8 assists per contest among rookies. Harper’s strength lies in his ability to attack and convert around the basket, not to mention his all-around game: he doesn’t just score, he defends, rebounds and orchestrates. His father, Ron Harper, called him “trying to be all-around,” and so far, that shows up in the box score. The Spurs have a young core, and Harper looks like the point guard of the future in San Antonio. We predict that Harper won’t be long for the bench for long especially if he can shore up his outside shot. 

4. Cedric Coward (Memphis Grizzlies)

Coward may have slipped past some teams in the lottery, but his start says “steal” rather than “sleeping pick.” The No. 11 pick is scoring at a 25.5 points per 36 minutes rate among rookies and shooting extremely efficiently (close to 70 % overall, 64 % from three) in his limited time so far.  Coward has seized minutes due to teammates’ injuries and is making the most of them. With a high-IQ wing skill-set, strong shooting, and a willingness to defend, Coward has quietly positioned himself as a front-runner in the secondary rookie race. With the recent drama concerning Ja Morant, it’s great for Memphis fans to have something to be excited for this season.

5. Kon Knueppel (Charlotte Hornets)

Kon Knueppel, the Hornets’ fourth-overall pick in 2025, has quickly proven why Charlotte invested a top lottery selection in him. Standing 6′7″ and weighing 215 lb, the former Duke guard/wing boasts elite shooting chops—he posted 48/41/91 shooting splits in college. 

Knueppel has already logged notable minutes: he scored 11 points on 4-of-6 field goals (3-of-4 from three) with five rebounds in 25 minutes in a 136-117 win over the Nets.  His ability to stretch the floor, handle the ball at his size, and make smart reads positions him as a foundational piece for the Hornets’ rebuild rather than just another rookie shooter.

What makes Knueppel especially intriguing is the blend of steady floor spacing and underrated versatility he brings. During the 2025 Summer League, he collected 21 points, five rebounds, and two assists in the win that secured Charlotte’s first Summer League title, earning game MVP honors. 

Scouts previously questioned his athletic burst and defensive upside, but early signs suggest he may be smarter than he is explosive—moving well without the ball and showing capable reads on defense. For a team with young stars like Brandon Miller and a need for secondary scorers with high ceilings, Knueppel might rapidly evolve from promising rookie to key contributor in the Hornets’ rising core

6. Tre Johnson (Washington Wizards)

Selected sixth overall, Johnson entered a rebuilding Wizards roster but immediately made his mark. He became one of only a few teenagers to begin a career with multiple games of 16+ points and two or more three-pointers, joining an elite list with Kevin Durant.  In his earliest NBA appearances, he put up 16 points with four threes on debut and averaged around 14.8 points per game in limited minutes. He’s still refining his game, but his shooting range, mindset, and adaptability already suggest he could challenge higher-ranked peers.

The Next Wave: Other Rookies to Watch

Beyond Edgecombe, Flagg, Harper, Coward, Kon Knueppel and Tre Johnson, another rookie worth keeping firmly on the radar is Ace Bailey. Selected No. 5 overall in the 2025 NBA Draft by the Utah Jazz, Bailey averaged 17.6 points and 7.2 rebounds in his lone college season at Rutgers, while also showing defensive versatility and shot-creation ability. Though his rookie NBA courtside impact is still unfolding, his size (6-10), skill set and pedigree mark him as a wild card who could challenge for higher-tier status by season’s end.

Keep an eye on his minutes and efficiency across the next few weeks — if he hits a rhythm, the Rookie of the Year race could expand beyond the top five listed above.Among those are:

• Derik Queen (New Orleans Pelicans)
• Jeremiah Fears (New Orleans Pelicans)
  
• Collin Murray-Boyles (Toronto Raptors)
  
• Ryan Kalkbrenner (Charlotte Hornets)

These young players haven’t yet earned the early production of the top 5, but their draft profiles, skill sets, and minutes make them legitimate threats to rise into the discussion.

This rookie class is deeper and more dynamic than many expected. Edgecombe, Flagg, Harper, Coward, and Johnson each bring unique traits, and they’re already delivering. If any of them sustain momentum over the next month, odds-makers (and fans) will adjust fast. Whether you’re tracking stats, storylines, or betting markets, one thing is clear: the 2025–26 rookie crop isn’t just talented, it could be transformational.