Early Rookie Rankings: Cedric Coward Tops 2025-26 Class After Opening Month
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Cedric Coward has jumped to the head of the 2025-26 NBA rookie class, according to the first monthly assessment of newcomers compiled through games of Nov. 12. ESPN’s survey of early-season production places the Memphis Grizzlies wing at No. 1, edging out Philadelphia 76ers guard VJ Edgecombe and Charlotte Hornets shooter Kon Knueppel.
How the Top 10 Shakes Out
1. Cedric Coward, Memphis Grizzlies
Selected 11th overall, the 6-foot-6 forward is averaging 14.5 points, 5.9 rebounds and 3.1 assists while shooting 51% from the field and 40% beyond the arc. Memphis traded up for Coward last June after dealing Desmond Bane, and the rookie’s poise has quickly filled that void.
2. VJ Edgecombe, Philadelphia 76ers
Edgecombe exploded for 34 points on opening night—the league’s highest debut since Wilt Chamberlain—then added 26 in his third outing. He has leveled off to 11.8 points on 35% shooting since, yet still posts 5.5 rebounds, 4.3 assists and 36% from deep while leading all rookies with 3.4 deflections per game.
3. Kon Knueppel, Charlotte Hornets
The No. 4 pick is attempting a rookie-record 8.0 threes a night and converting 40%, good for 3.2 makes per game. His line of 16.6 points, 6.4 rebounds and 3.0 assists is tempered by streaky outings—single-digit scoring in consecutive games followed by 24, 20 and 30 points.
4. Dylan Harper, San Antonio Spurs
Before a strained calf sidelined him on Nov. 2, Harper attacked the rim on 62% of his shots, the highest share among guards. In 78 minutes next to Victor Wembanyama, the Spurs own a plus-36 net rating.
5. Ryan Kalkbrenner, Charlotte Hornets
Charlotte’s second-round center leads the entire league at 81% shooting—12 percentage points above his expected mark, per GeniusIQ—and ranks third overall with 2.3 blocks a game.
6. Cooper Flagg, Dallas Mavericks
The No. 1 pick is averaging 15.0 points, 6.8 rebounds and 3.1 assists while learning point-guard duties at 18. Efficiency is the concern: 37% effective field-goal rate on jumpers and 0.76 points per pick-and-roll as ball-handler. Dallas is minus-25 per 100 possessions with him on court.
7. Will Richard, Golden State Warriors
Florida’s NCAA title hero now leads all rookies in player efficiency rating thanks to 44% three-point shooting, smart cuts and steady defense. His 30-point effort on Nov. 5 at Sacramento stands as the class’s top single-game performance by Basketball Reference’s game score metric.
8. Sion James, Charlotte Hornets
Underrated at Duke last year, the 22-year-old guard is hitting 61% of his threes and logging 25-plus minutes in six straight contests for new coach Charles Lee.
9. Collin Murray-Boyles, Toronto Raptors
Drafted ninth, the rangy forward supplies energy and defense—2.8 deflections a night—though Toronto’s offense dips when he plays. His long-term role could be at either forward spot or small-ball center.
10. Jeremiah Fears and Derik Queen, New Orleans Pelicans (tie)
Both rookies are bright spots on a struggling roster. Fears runs pick-and-rolls with confidence, while Queen has already recorded eight- and seven-assist nights, hinting at frontcourt playmaking potential.
Notable Absences
Top-10 draftees Ace Bailey (Utah), Tre Johnson (Washington), Egor Demin (Brooklyn) and Khaman Maluach (Phoenix) missed the cut after slow starts, while four players selected outside the top 10 secured spots on the list.
Rankings will be updated throughout the season and reflect current performance only, not long-term projections.
Source: ESPN
