Cooper Flagg won the tightest race at the top of the 2025-26 rookie class, but the season’s larger story was how quickly this group entered real NBA rotation work — from Charlotte’s record-setting shooting to Dylan Harper’s run to the Finals and productive playoff minutes for Toronto’s Collin Murray-Boyles.
2025-26 NBA Rookie Class Leaves a Deep Second-Year Watch List
Flagg, the Dallas Mavericks forward and No. 1 overall selection, narrowly claimed Kia Rookie of the Year over former Duke teammate Kon Knueppel. Flagg received 412 voting points, with Knueppel close behind at 386, one of the closest margins in the award’s history.
The five first-team All-Rookie selections were all lottery picks: Flagg, Knueppel of the Charlotte Hornets, Philadelphia 76ers guard VJ Edgecombe, San Antonio Spurs guard Dylan Harper and Memphis Grizzlies guard Cedric Coward. Utah’s Ace Bailey, New Orleans teammates Jeremiah Fears and Derik Queen, Toronto forward Murray-Boyles and Sacramento center Maxime Raynaud formed the second team.
It was a class that did not wait for the schedule to turn to April before showing up. Harper had a role in San Antonio’s Western Conference title run and Finals appearance, Murray-Boyles saw his workload climb in Toronto’s first-round series, and Edgecombe logged playoff experience in Philadelphia. The next test is whether that rookie production can travel into larger roles in 2026-27.
Flagg sets the pace in Dallas
Flagg led rookies at 21.0 points per game while adding 6.7 rebounds, 4.5 assists and 1.2 steals. His assist average ranked second among rookies, his steals were tied for second and his rebounding ranked fourth. The 6-foot-9 forward turns 20 on Dec. 21 and sits at the center of Dallas’ effort to rejoin the playoff picture.
Dallas is entering that push with team president Masai Ujiri, general manager Mike Schmitz and first-year coach Dusty May. Flagg’s ability to handle, create and defend across spots gives May a flexible piece as the Mavericks shape their rotation.
Knueppel, taken fourth by Charlotte, had the most explosive shooting résumé in the class. He made 273 3-pointers, breaking the rookie single-season record previously held by Keegan Murray, who made 206 in 2022-23. Knueppel finished at 18.5 points, 5.3 rebounds and 3.4 assists per game while shooting 47.5% from the field, 42.5% from deep and 86.3% at the foul line.
Those numbers put a future 50-40-90 season in play if he can sustain them. After Charlotte’s offseason moves, Knueppel and Brandon Miller are positioned as the Hornets’ leading offensive options.
Guards ready for more responsibility
Edgecombe, the No. 3 pick, brought production on both ends: 16.0 points, 5.6 rebounds, 4.2 assists and a rookie-leading 1.4 steals per game. Philadelphia’s roster now includes LeBron James and Jaylen Brown alongside Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey, Anfernee Simons, Dean Wade, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and 2026-27 rookie Labaron Philon.
That is a crowded group, but Edgecombe’s defensive activity and willingness to operate without the ball should create minutes in Nick Nurse’s system. His rookie playoff exposure should also matter as the 76ers sort through a veteran-heavy rotation.
Harper came off the bench for the Spurs but played like a young guard moving toward a starting job. His per-36-minute line read 18.8 points, 6.1 assists and 5.4 rebounds, and his confidence rose during San Antonio’s postseason run. His finishing at the rim and late-season shotmaking were especially evident in the playoffs.
San Antonio reached the NBA Finals after winning the West, and Harper’s place in that run made it difficult to view him simply as a reserve. The No. 2 pick should see both his role and minutes grow in 2026-27, whether or not he opens the year in the starting five.
Coward, chosen 11th by Memphis, averaged 13.6 points, 5.9 rebounds and 2.8 assists while shooting 47.1% overall. As the Grizzlies changed direction through trades, Coward became more central to both the club’s present group and its longer timeline. His shooting development and his work as a physical, bigger defender will be important for a roster blending young players with veterans.
Second-team production offers playoff and frontcourt upside
Bailey was the fifth pick and finished fifth among rookies in scoring at 13.8 points per game, with 4.2 rebounds. Utah’s next step depends in part on Bailey becoming more efficient offensively and more dependable defensively. With Lauri Markkanen and Jaren Jackson Jr. on the roster, he will not always need to carry the first option burden. The Jazz also need 2026 No. 2 selection Darryn Peterson to contribute.
Fears, selected seventh by New Orleans, averaged 14.3 points, 3.7 rebounds, 3.4 assists and 1.2 steals. He ranked fourth among rookies in scoring and was one of only two rookies to appear in all 82 games. His second half was particularly encouraging: his scoring, playmaking and shooting all improved after the All-Star break rather than falling off under the usual rookie-season grind.
Murray-Boyles, the ninth selection, supplied a strong per-36-minute profile for Toronto: 14.0 points, 8.2 rebounds, 3.1 assists, 1.5 blocks and 1.5 steals. His first playoff series offered another marker. With his minutes expanded against Cleveland, he posted 14.4 points, 6.4 rebounds, 2.4 assists, 1.3 steals and 1.1 blocks across seven first-round games.
Raynaud was the lone second-round pick on either All-Rookie team. The 7-foot-1 Kings center averaged 12.5 points and 7.5 rebounds, shot 57.1% from the field and converted 62.1% of attempts inside 10 feet. His 18 double-doubles led all rookies, including a 21-point, 19-rebound outing against New Orleans. Adding strength and becoming a more reliable rim protector are the priorities for his second season.
Queen joined Fears as New Orleans’ second All-Rookie second-team selection. The 13th pick played 25 minutes per game over 81 appearances, producing 11.7 points, 7.1 rebounds and 3.7 assists on 47.3% shooting. He recorded 14 double-doubles and closed the regular season with 30 points and 22 rebounds against Minnesota.
New Pelicans coach Jamahl Mosley inherits two young building blocks in Fears and Queen. Helping them turn rookie flashes into nightly rotation reliability will be a major part of his first season.
Additional second-year players to monitor
- Washington Wizards guards Tre Johnson and Will Riley
- Brooklyn Nets guard Egor Dëmin
- Charlotte Hornets center Ryan Kalkbrenner
- Milwaukee Bucks guard Kasparas Jakučionis
- San Antonio Spurs forward Carter Bryant
- Sacramento Kings guard Nique Clifford
- Phoenix Suns center Khaman Maluach and guard Rasheer Fleming
- Minnesota Timberwolves forward Joan Beringer
- Memphis Grizzlies guards Walter Clayton Jr. and Javon Small
- Atlanta Hawks guards Ryan Nembhard and Asa Newell
- Boston Celtics guard Hugo Gonzalez
- Oklahoma City Thunder center Thomas Sorber
- Orlando Magic guard-forward Noah Penda and guard Jase Richardson
SEO Title: Cooper Flagg, Kon Knueppel Headline NBA 2025-26 All-Rookie Teams
SEO Description: Cooper Flagg edged Kon Knueppel for Rookie of the Year as the 2025-26 NBA rookie class produced playoff contributors, record shooting and several rising second-year rotation players.
