NBA Rookie of the Year 2025-26 Season: Latest Power Rankings as Cooper Flagg Barely Holds Onto Top 5 Spot - Oct. 30, 2025

The NBA's Rookie of the Year (ROY) race, just over a week into the 2025-26 season, is not remotely what everyone expected it to be. No. 1 pick Cooper Flagg began his career with the expectations of a generational talent. Some even compared his hype to LeBron James's in 2003.

The Dallas Mavericks fan base viewed him as their savior in the aftermath of the infamous Luka Doncic trade, which still haunts the organization. However, five games later, Cooper Flagg has yet to have his moment, while his peers have hit the ground running, some even producing historic performances.

V.J. Edgecombe, the No. 3 pick out of Baylor, is the runaway Rookie of the Year ladder race leader following a dream start. Former Washington State product Cedric Coward has looked like the steal of the draft.

Dylan Harper, an untouchable asset in trade talks, is proving the San Antonio Spurs right. He's already putting fear in rivals' minds on the ceiling of his partnership with Victor Wembanyama.

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All's not lost for Cooper Flagg, but it's going to take an exceptional effort from the Dallas Mavericks' interim starting point guard to cover some ground.

With that said, here's how he and other rookies stack up in the first edition of Sportskeeda's weekly NBA ROY rankings.

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NBA Rookie of the Year 2025-26 Season: Latest Power Rankings for Oct. 30, 2025

#5 Cooper Flagg, Dallas Mavericks

Dallas Mavericks rookie Cooper Flagg in action vs. the OKC Thunder (Image Source: IMAGN)

GP 5 | PPG 13.4 | RPG 6.2 | APG 2.8 | SPG 0.8 | BPG 0.6 | TOV 2.6

FG 41.0% | 3-PT 26.7% | FT - 100.0%

Cooper Flagg has dealt with the most adversity of any rookie in the 2025-26 NBA season. The Mavericks have asked No. 1 pick to lead the Dallas Mavericks' point of attack as their primary ball-handler and playmaker. So, not only is he learning the ropes of being a professional player, but Flagg is also adapting to playing a new position full-time.

It's been a work in progress, and one of the primary reasons why his production barely stands out compared to his rivals in the ROY race. Nevertheless, where Flagg gains an edge is his maturity and ability to adjust. The 18-year-old has shown flashes of a generational prospect who can impact the game all around.

Unlike most rookies, Flagg can match up with his veteran peers physically on both ends. He is excellent as a play finisher and getting downhill.

It's clear as day that Flagg is much better than the numbers, which is visible when Dallas has playmakers on the court with him, along with decent spacing. Without that, Flagg has been put in a disadvantageous situation, leading to his inefficient shooting splits.

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#4 Kon Knueppel, Charlotte Hornets

Kon Knueppel in action during Charlotte Hornets vs. Washington Wizards (Image Source: IMAGN)

GP 4 | PPG 16.0 | RPG 4.3 | APG 2.0 | SPG 0.5 | BPG 0.0 | TOV 2.0

FG 52.3% | 3-PT 53.3% | FT 50.0%

No. 4 pick Kon Knueppel's ROY odds have improved significantly. Not many would have put him ahead of his former Duke teammate Cooper Flagg, but after four games, there are very few arguments against it.

Knueppel can be a top 1.0% shooter in the NBA and turn into the 3-point sniper that everyone craves but can't have. Knueppel found the bottom of the net on 16 of his first 30 attempts from range. He has already made history with his uber-efficient run from beyond the arc, eclipsing the record for most made 3s in four games to start an NBA career.

On the surface level, it seems like Knueppel's a one-trick pony with his shooting. But that's not all. The former Duke product has shown potential as an on-ball creator, off-the-bounce scorer and on-ball defender.

As he continues to adapt to the pros, with more reps, Knueppel could emerge as one of the best prospects of the draft, carving out a lengthy NBA career.

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#3 Dylan Harper, San Antonio Spurs

Dylan Harper #2 (R), in action during Spurs vs. Nets (Image Source: IMAGN)

GP 4 | PPG 14.8 | RPG 5.3 | APG 4.8 | SPG 1.0 | BPG 0.0 | TOV 2.0

FG 47.8% | 3-PT 33.3% | FT 85.7%

No. 2 pick Dylan Harper hasn't taken long to return the faith the San Antonio Spurs placed in him in the offseason. Despite rostering De'Aaron Fox and Stephon Castle, the Spurs had no intentions of missing out on Harper. Alongside Cooper Flagg, he was considered a surefire All-NBA prospect. Four games in, it's not difficult to see why.

The former Rutgers star has been a phenomenal on-ball scorer and shot creator, already picking apart defenses like a veteran NBA player. Through 19 games (per Spurs writer Paul Garcia), Harper has the second most drives (41), most passes (16), and most assists (seven) with only three turnovers.

Harper's driving and court vision have everyone in awe, fearing what's to come from him as the 19-year-old gains more experience.

Harper's also made it to the NBA history books, becoming the youngest player to record at least 20 points, five rebounds and five assists without committing a turnover during San Antonio's 118-107 win over Brooklyn on Sunday.

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#2 Cedric Coward, Memphis Grizzlies

Cedric Coward in action for the Grizzlies against the Pacers (Image Source: IMAGN)

GP 5 | PPG 16.0 | RPG 3.8 | APG 2.0 | SPG 1.0 | BPG 0.6 | TOV 0.8

FG 65.1% | 3-PT 64.7% | FT 92.9%

No. 11 pick Cedric Coward is not just in ROY conversations, but also for the NBA's underdog story of the year. The former Division III college player's ascension has carried over to the pros. Memphis may have surprised a few by selecting him with its first-round pick, but it's reaping benefits with Coward already being decisive on the court.

He's off to a hot start with an absurd 81.4% true shooting average, which won't likely sustain, but there's every chance he could be one of the league's best 3-and-D players. Coward's a microwave scorer off the bench, averaging 16.0 ppg in just 24.4 mpg.

After spending three years in college, he's translating his feel for the game in the NBA. On offense, Coward uses his quickness and stability well in transition. He's an ideal weapon for out-of-bounds after timeout plays due to his positioning, high IQ and shotmaking. Coward also reads defenses well when attacking the rim.

Despite the incredible shooting splits, a significant amount of Coward's praise has come for his natural defensive instincts, which he has paired well with his 7-foot-2 wingspan, 8-foot-5 standing reach and 38.5-inch max vertical.

It makes Cedric Coward the perfect piece for the Grizzlies, which they have needed alongside Ja Morant and Jaren Jackson Jr. for a long time. With such traits, he can also be a fit on any roster, given the game's current demands from 3-and-D wings.

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#1 V.J. Edgecombe, Philadelphia 76ers

V.J. Edgecombe celebrates with Tyrese Maxey (Image Source: IMAGN)

GP 4 | PPG 22.3 | RPG 5.8 | APG 5.5 | SPG 1.5 | BPG 0.5 | TOV 2.0

FG 47.1% | 3-PT 42.9% | FT 78.6%

No. 3 pick V.J. Edgecombe has put the NBA world on notice after the first four games of his rookie season. Edgecombe has performed at an elite level, potentially even playing better than he ever did at the college level. Flat-out one of the most athletic players in the league, the former Baylor star has shown he's got much more to his game than just his physical tools.

He announced his arrival, dropping 34 points, seven rebounds and three assists in the 76ers' comeback win over arch rivals the Celtics, shooting 50.0%, including five 3s. He topped LeBron James' record for most points in the first quarter in an NBA debut with 14. Edgecombe also became the first guard to average 25 points, five rebounds and five assists in the first three games.

Nobody seems to have looked as comfortable as the 19-year-old in this rookie class, which has been key to the Sixers' unbeaten start with a limited Joel Embiid and injured Paul George on the sidelines.

V.J. Edgecombe is getting it done on both ends. While his defense hasn't always been on point, he's leaned on his athleticism to cover up for it and shown a knack for improving on his lapses.

As the only rookie to average at least 20/5/5 as of the debut edition of our ROY power rankings, there's no doubt that Edgecombe has jumped out ahead of his peers, unparalleled.

Edited by Arhaan Raje