NBA Rookie of the Year 2025-26 Season: Latest Power Rankings as Kon Knueppel Outperforms Cooper Flagg - Nov. 6, 2025

The 2025-26 NBA Rookie of the Year (ROY) race continues with marginal changes in our weekly power rankings. The top five, led by No. 3 pick V.J. Edgecombe, has remained the same. Others unranked have made significant strides but still need to show more consistency to have a shot at breaking out.

As for the existing ones, Edgecombe continues to lead the pack despite an uneven week. Nevertheless, he's shown enough to display a level of consistency that not many rookies have thus far. There's a good chance he comes out ahead if he can rediscover his rhythm by next week's power ranking update.

Meanwhile, Kon Knueppel's stock has surged even more. Placed fourth last time over Duke teammate and consensus preseason ROY favorite Cooper Flagg, the Hornets' No. 4 pick made a significant jump.

Without further ado, let's jump into the latest 2025 NBA Rookie of the Year power ranking, including some notable mentions.

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NBA Rookie of the Year 2025-26 Season: Latest Power Rankings - Nov. 6, 2025

Knocking on the door: Jeremiah Fears, Tre Johnson and Collin Murray-Boyles.

#5 Dylan Harper, San Antonio Spurs

Dylan Harper in action for the Spurs (Image Source: IMAGN)

Last week's ranking: 3 (↓2)

Season stats: GP 6 | PPG 14.0 | RPG 4.0 | APG 3.8 | SPG 0.7 | BPG 0.0 | TOV 2.6

FG 50.0% | 3-PT FG 35.7% | FT 83.3%

Dylan Harper drops two places against expectations this week due to his injury absence. In two games since our last rankings, Harper averaged 12.5 ppg, 1.5 rpg, 2.5 apg, 1.5 tpg in 17.9 mpg, shooting 55.6%, including 40.0%. He was on course to be the best rookie in this stretch.

However, No. 2 pick endured a left calf strain in the middle of potentially his best NBA game on Sunday against the Phoenix Suns. Harper had 12 points in just 11 minutes on 62.5% shooting.

With nobody on the San Antonio Spurs, including superstar Victor Wembanyama, able to withstand the Suns' defense, Harper might have eclipsed his previous career high of 20 points and surged in our rankings.

Nevertheless, he retains his place based on his last two games, including the Oct. 30th game against the Miami Heat. Harper maintained his efficient run, tallying 13 points and four assists in 25 minutes on 50.0% shooting, including 40.0% from deep.

Harper will reportedly miss multiple weeks, and he may not feature in our next edition of the ROY power rankings.

#4 Cooper Flagg, Dallas Mavericks

Cooper Flagg (L) in action against the Pelicans on Wednesday (Image Source: IMAGN)

Last week's ranking: 5 (↑1)

Season stats: GP 8 | PPG 14.4 | RPG 6.6 | APG 2.8 | SPG 1.1 | BPG 0.6 | TOV 2.6

FG 50.0% | 3-PT FG 35.7% | FT 83.3%

No. 1 pick Cooper Flagg gains a spot courtesy of Dylan Harper's slide due to injury. The Dallas Mavericks forward had a slightly better week relative to his own performances leading up to our Oct. 30 ROY rankings. Flagg played thrice since then, averaging 16.0 ppg, 7.3 rpg, 2.7 apg, 1.7 spg, 0.7 bpg and 2.3 tpg. He shot 37.2%, including 31.3% from 3 and 100.0% from the free throw line.

Flagg started with a mixed performance during the Mavericks' Mexico trip on Saturday to face the Detroit Pistons. While he scored 16 points, grabbed eight rebounds and dished four assists, he shot only 3-for-14 in a 122-110 loss. Flagg got to the line eight times and went 100.0% to compensate for his shooting.

In his second outing against the Rockets on Monday, he finished with 12 points, five rebounds and two assists, shooting 50.0%, including 2 of 5 from 3. Flagg went scoreless in the second half after missing his only two shot attempts after he started 5-for-6 in the first half.

Playing in an off-ball role, Flagg settled in the clutch, deferring to P.J. Washington, who had 29 points and D'Angelo Russell, who recorded 12 assists. A more aggressive approach could have been the key to Dallas avoiding a 110-102 loss.

Meanwhile, on Wednesday against the Pelicans, Flagg arguably looked the most comfortable he has this season on both ends.

While Dallas lost 101-99 and Flagg missed a golden chance to send the game into overtime, he had 20 points, nine rebounds, two assists, three steals and two blocks. He shot 42.1% and was 3 of 3 from the free throw line.

Perhaps this performance significantly helped his production uptick for the season and the last week. The Mavericks' starting Russell at point guard on Wednesday was crucial, as it allowed Flagg to play his natural position as a small forward.

After this adjustment, Flagg will hope to carry on the momentum from Wednesday over the next few games and maximize his chances in an off-ball role.

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#3 Cedric Coward, Memphis Grizzlies

Grizzlies' Cedric Coward (L) guards Kevin Durant (Image Source: IMAGN)

Last week's ranking: 2 (↓1)

Season stats: GP 9 | PPG 14.3 | RPG 5.4 | APG 2.7 | SPG 1.2 | BPG 0.63 | TOV 1.1

FG 53.7% | 3-PT FG 41.2% | FT 90.0%

No. 11 pick Cedric Coward lost a position on our latest ROY power rankings. He played four games since Oct. 30, averaging 12.3 ppg, 7.5 rpg, 3.5 apg, 1.3 spg and 1.8 tpg, shooting a measly 41.0%, including 17.6% from 3. No one expected Coward to sustain the 65/65/93 splits from opening week, but the steep drop off wasn't predicted either. He's made only three 3-pointers on his last 17 attempts.

Coward's last week began with a 13-point night in the 117-112 loss to the LA Lakers on Friday. He shot 4 of 11, including 0-for-4 from deep, but did decent defensively against the likes of Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves. Coward added 10 rebounds, three assists and three steals.

On Sunday against the Toronto Raptors, the Grizzlies wing managed 12 points on 5 of 9 shots in a 117-104 loss. His 3-point shooting drought carried over from the Lakers game, as he missed two more 3-point attempts.

Coward had a bounce-back game against the Detroit Pistons on Monday offensively with 17 points, six rebounds and two assists. He again shot 5 of 9, while making three 3s on six attempts. Memphis lost 114-106, but Coward executed his role. His aggressive play on defense got him into foul trouble with a season-high five whistles, but he played 31 minutes.

There's a solid chance Coward could have retained last week's No. 2 spot if not for his worst offensive game yet, which happened on Wednesday against Houston. The 22-year-old had a season low of seven points on 2 of 10 shooting, including 0-for-5 from 3. Nevertheless, Coward put up a solid effort on defense with nine rebounds and two steals.

He's in the running for a starting role amid the Grizzlies' four-game losing streak. If Coward gets that nod and shoots close to his season averages, he could regain a spot or two.

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#2 Kon Knueppel, Charlotte Hornets

Kon Knueppel in action for the Charlotte Hornets vs. New Orleans Pelicans - (Image Source: Imagn)

Last week's ranking: 4 (↑2)

Season stats: GP 8 | PPG 14.8 | RPG 5.8 | APG 2.3 | SPG 0.5 | BPG 0.0 | TOV 2.1

FG 45.7% | 3-PT FG 41.0% | FT 81.8%

No. 4 pick, Kon Knueppel, continues his surge in the ROY race and is up two places in second. The Charlotte Hornets' lottery pick played four games since our last ROY power rankings, averaging 13.3 ppg, 7.3 rpg, 2.5 apg, 0.5 spg and 2.3 tpg. Knueppel had a cold start last week.

On Oct. 30 in the 123-107 loss to the Orlando Magic, Knueppel managed a season low of five points in 27 minutes. He shot 2 of 6, including 1 of 4 from deep. Knueppel couldn't make much of an impact in any other area with three rebounds, one assist and four turnovers.

In the following contest on Saturday's 122-105 loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves, Knueppel had an even worse offensive game. He matched his season low score of five points, but shot 1 of 9.

He took eight attempts from 3 and his only make was from long range. The former Duke forward also had a poor assist-to-turnover ratio with two assists and three turnovers. Knueppel's only positive impact came on the glass as he had a then-season-high eight rebounds.

His ROY stock could have significantly dropped after these outings, but Knueppel made an impressive recovery over the past couple of games, scoring 20 points in consecutive matchups.

In Sunday's 126-103 win against the Utah Jazz, Knueppel had his best game with 24 points, six rebounds and five assists with zero turnovers. He shot 52.9%, including 44.4% from 3, filling in superbly for the Hornets in LaMelo Ball's absence.

Knueppel followed it up with his first career double-double on Tuesday in the 116-112 loss to the New Orleans Pelicans. He had 20 points, 12 rebounds and two assists on 43.8% shooting.

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#1 V.J. Edgecombe

V.J. Edgecombe in action during Philadelphia 76ers vs. Cleveland Cavaliers (Image Source: Imagn)

Last week's ranking: 1 (=)

Season stats: GP 8 | PPG 17.6 | RPG 5.6 | APG 4.8 | SPG 1.4 | BPG 0.3 | TOV 1.9

FG 44.5% | 3-PT FG 39.1% | FT 81.0%

No. 3 pick V.J. Edgecombe remains in the lead on the ROY race despite an underwhelming run since our last rankings. He averaged 13.0 ppg, 5.5 rpg, 4.0 apg, 1.3 spg and 1.8 tpg in four games since Oct. 30. Edgcombe shot 40.8%, including 33.3% from 3 and 85.7% from the free throw line.

He started the week well against the Boston Celtics in a 109-108 loss on Friday, tallying 17 points, five rebounds and five assists on 7 of 11 shooting, including 2 of 4 from deep. He followed it up with a 16-point game with two rebounds, three assists and three steals in Sunday's 129-105 win over the Brooklyn Nets, shooting 6 of 12.

Edgecombe had his first career double-double on Tuesday against the Chicago Bulls in a 113-111 loss with 12 points (season low), 11 rebounds, four assists and two steals. But that's when his shooting splits started regressing. Edgecombe went 4 of 12 from the floor in that contest.

It worsened with another season low seven points on the second night of a back-to-back against the Cleveland Cavaliers in a 132-121 loss on Wednesday. A burnt-out Edgecombe shot a measly 3-for-14, including 0-for-5 from 3, which heavily impacted his 47/43/79 splits from last week.

Nevertheless, he made respectable contributions in other areas with four rebounds and four assists, while turning the ball over just once. The 20-year-old has shouldered a heavy burden as a rookie, and at some point, it was going to hinder his play.

Nevertheless, with a two-day rest, Edgecombe should be ready to go again and in better physical condition to perform when the Sixers return to action against the Toronto Raptors on Saturday.

Edited by Arhaan Raje