Rookie Ladder: Top 5 NBA Rookies Making An Impact

Joel Piton
4 minutes ago
5 min read

We’re only about three weeks into the regular season, but that’s already been enough time to see some surprising early trends. A handful of rookies adjusted to the pace of NBA basketball immediately, actively impacting winning, carving out rotation minutes, and showing exactly why their franchises invested in them. Of course, it’s early. There’s a long season ahead, scouting reports will tighten, and the rookie wall shows no mercy. So take these rankings with a grain of salt. But don’t underestimate what we’re seeing either. If a player is producing at this level right out of the gate, it’s often a preview of what their career could become.

With that said, let’s break down the five rookies who are already showing serious upside:

V.J. Edgecombe (PHI)

Position: SG Age: 20 Height: 6'5"

2025-26 Stats: 17.6 PPG — 5.6 RPG — 4.8 APG — 44.5 FG%

V.J. Edgecombe came into the league with raw upside but it didn’t take long for him to flip flaunt his skillset. He exploded for 34 points in his NBA debut and hasn’t slowed down since, leading all rookies in total scoring through the opening weeks of the season. On a roster stacked with talented, attack-minded combo-guards—Tyrese Maxey, Quentin Grimes, and soon Jared McCain—Edgecombe has looked just as seasoned and comfortable on the floor as any of them, and he’s only 20 years old.

His scoring package has translated from Baylor to the pros: he’s fearless getting downhill, can finish through traffic, and his pull-up jumper has shown legitimate confidence and rhythm. What’s made his early run even more impressive is his playmaking, where he’s currently pacing all rookies in assists as well with 4.8 per game. Edgecombe hasn’t just been a spark—he’s been a legitimate offensive engine down the stretch. If the Rookie of the Year conversation started today, he’d be the frontrunner. Right now, he looks like a problem here to stay.

Cedric Coward (MEM)

Position: SF/SG Age: 22 Height: 6'5"

2025-26 Stats: 14.3 PPG — 5.4 RPG — 2.7 APG — 53.7 FG%

Cedric Coward is everything I thought he could be—and maybe a little more. Transitioning to shooting guard, he’s stepped into a major role right away, emerging as Memphis’ third-leading scorer behind their two legitimate All-Stars. There have already been stretches where Coward looks like a stud, on October 25th he dropped 27 points on a perfect 6-for-6 from three—becoming the first rookie in Grizzlies history to hit six threes in a game without a miss.

Coward’s early shooting splits are hovering in that coveted 50/40 range, but labeling him as just a shooter does him a huge disservice. He’s been a relentless defender too, taking on the assignment of guarding the opposing team’s top scorer more than once. Memphis hasn’t eased him into the league—he’s being thrown into heavy minutes and meaningful possessions—and he’s meeting the moment with real impact. The Grizzlies wanted him to contribute right away and instead, he’s exceeding expectations.

Cooper Flagg (DAL)

Position: SF Age: 18 Height: 6'9"

2025-26 Stats: 14.4 PPG — 6.6 RPG — 2.8 APG — 39.4 FG%

The Mavericks are sitting at the bottom of the Western Conference—and the spotlight has fallen squarely on Cooper Flagg. Touted as a generational prospect, Flagg has been one of the most polarizing rookies so far. Some are quick to call him a disappointment; others see the flashes of elite upside, especially on the defensive end. The truth is somewhere in the middle. He’s 18. He’s adjusting. And he’s being asked to play a role that doesn’t necessarily elevate his strengths. Jason Kidd’s system is using him as a 6’9 playmaking wing, often a point guard at times, which hasn’t exactly helped an already-struggling Dallas offense. Flagg is shooting under 40%, learning how to pick his spots, and still trying to find a rhythm offensively.

But what has translated instantly is the defense. His motor, anticipation, and length are undeniable. He’s switching across positions 1–5, contesting without fouling, and making life difficult for scorers. That part of his scouting report was real.

The offense will come. Plenty of 18-year-olds have entered the league raw and developed into perennial All-Stars—many with far less skill than Flagg already has. He just needs time, structure, and a role that complements his game instead of forcing him outside it. Dallas may be losing right now, and critics are loud, but if Flagg keeps working, there’s still every reason to believe he can become the franchise-changing player he was projected to be.

Kon Knueppel (CHA)

Position: SG Age: 20 Height: 6'7"

2025-26 Stats: 14.8 PPG — 5.8 RPG — 2.3 APG — 45.7 FG%

Kon Knueppel is the rookie people need to start paying attention to. He’s already stacked multiple 20-point games while putting up elite true shooting numbers, and he’s shooting well over 40% from three. At 6’7”, Knueppel has been an assertive rebounder and a steady presence at the both small forward and shooting guard spots, using his size and pace to stay efficient and under control. And honestly? This shouldn’t be surprising. Knueppel was a pure shooter at Duke as Cooper Flagg’s wing, and now at the NBA level, he’s arguably outplaying him.

Charlotte needed a reliable offensive wing, and Knueppel has slid into that role seamlessly, boasting a 113.8 offensive rating and providing exactly the kind of floor spacing and scoring versatility that stabilizes units. If there’s one area to watch, it’s the defense. Knueppel hasn’t registered a block yet and still has room to grow as a disruptive presence on that end. But to be fair, the Hornets aren't asking him to be a defender—his job is to score, and score efficiently, and he’s delivering that at a high level already.

Jeremiah Fears (NOP)

Position: PG Age: 19 Height: 6'4"

2025-26 Stats: 13.3 PPG — 2.9 RPG — 3.3 APG — 43.8 FG%

Jeremiah Fears has stepped into the starting point guard role in New Orleans and delivered exactly what the Pelicans were hoping for while they wait out Dejounte Murray. The three-point shot hasn’t fallen consistently yet, but Fears has found plenty of other ways to score. His long floaters, controlled drives, and Shai-like midrange pull-ups have become reliable tools in his arsenal. As a result, he’s currently the Pelicans’ fourth-leading scorer—behind four players who have all averaged 20+ points per game at some point.

He’s not lighting up the assist charts a playmaker, but he’s making the right reads and keeping the offense flowing. For a 19-year-old tasked with running an NBA offense and playing heavy minutes, around three assists per game is perfectly respectable—and it’s reasonable to expect that number to trend upward as he gains more experience and chemistry with his teammates. The biggest surprise has been the defense. Fears has brought energy, quick hands, and real fight on that end, competing every possession and showing early commitment to that side of the floor. As the 7th overall pick, the Pelicans needed him to be NBA-ready. So far, Fears has met the mark and then some.

If these first few weeks are any indication of what these young players might become, then buckle up. What we've seen isn't luck, and the 2025 NBA Draft classification as one of the more talented one we've seen is looking justified. These guys are giving their teams real energy, real production, and real reasons to believe in what’s ahead.

And the crazy part? This is only the beginning.