TITLE: Early Rookie Standouts Highlight First Five Weeks of 2025-26 NBA Season
SLUG: early-rookie-standouts-2025-26-nba-season
CONTENT:
Five weeks into the 2025-26 NBA schedule, Charlotte’s fourth overall pick Kon Knueppel has jumped to the front of the Rookie of the Year race, edging out preseason favorite and former Duke teammate Cooper Flagg.
Knueppel is averaging 18.6 points, 5.7 rebounds and 2.8 assists across 33.3 minutes in 18 games, shooting 47.6% from the field, 41.7% from three and 88.4% at the foul line. His 63 made three-pointers trail only Stephen Curry, Tyrese Maxey, Donovan Mitchell and James Harden league-wide, and none of those veterans own a better percentage from long range.
Hornets forward Miles Bridges praised the rookie’s consistency, calling him “our best player” and noting that Knueppel “brings it every game.” Oddsmaker BetOnline.ag now lists the 19-year-old as the year’s top betting choice for the award.
Top-Four Picks Keeping Pace
• Dallas forward Cooper Flagg, the No. 1 selection, has lifted his shooting above 50% over his last eight outings and is up to 15.9 points, 6.4 rebounds and 3.1 assists per game after opening the season as the Mavericks’ primary point guard.
• San Antonio guard Dylan Harper (No. 2) missed time with a calf strain but owns 13.0 points, 3.9 rebounds and 3.6 assists in seven appearances off the bench. His +43 plus/minus in only 157 minutes ranks second among rookies.
• Philadelphia’s VJ Edgecombe (No. 3) leads all first-year players in assists (4.2) while contributing 15.6 points per game and a 36.6% mark from deep, helping him post a rookie-best +44 plus/minus.
Notable Performances Beyond the Lottery
Cedric Coward, selected by Memphis later in the first round, has secured a starting role and is producing 13.7 points, 6.0 rebounds and 2.8 assists on 46.6% shooting.
In New Orleans, lottery duo Jeremiah Fears and Derik Queen have been bright spots amid the Pelicans’ slow start. Fears averages 15.1 points on 45.3% shooting, while Queen has recorded 15.7 points, 7.1 rebounds, 5.4 assists, 1.1 blocks and 1.0 steals across his last nine games.
Additional first-year contributors include Charlotte center Ryan Kalkbrenner (9.3 points, 6.8 rebounds, 1.8 blocks, 80.2% FG) and Utah forward Ace Bailey, who is scoring 15.0 points per contest on 53.2% overall and 40.9% from three in his last seven outings.
Source: Hoops Rumors
