Kia Rookie Ladder: Top 10 Steady as 2026 Kicks Off
Cooper Flagg showcased his talent in the recent Dallas Mavericks victory against the Sacramento Kings. This 100-98 win highlights Flagg’s clutch performance and the overall robustness of the NBA’s Class of 2025. As the league approaches the midway point of the season, discussions about rookie potential for the All-Star Game in 2026 have intensified.
Kia Rookie Ladder: Top 10 Steady as 2026 Kicks Off
With the NBA All-Star events scheduled for February 13-15 in Los Angeles, the question arises: Could we see a rookie in the All-Star Game? Historically, featuring rookies in this showcase has been rare. The last rookie to play was Blake Griffin in 2011, while the last to start was Yao Ming in 2003.
Current Rookie Rankings
Recently released fan voting shows Cooper Flagg ranked 16th in the Western Conference. In contrast, rookies from the Eastern Conference, such as Kon Knueppel of the Charlotte Hornets and VJ Edgecombe of the Philadelphia 76ers, did not make the Top 20.
- Flagg’s recent performance includes 20 points, eight rebounds, and six assists against the Kings.
- Dallas Mavericks coach Jason Kidd has expressed confidence in Flagg’s capabilities.
- Flagg currently averages 18.9 points, 6.5 rebounds, and 4.2 assists per game.
Rookies’ contributions traditionally shine in the Rising Stars Game during All-Star Weekend, setting a high bar for those aiming for the All-Star Game itself. Notable rookies from past years, such as Victor Wembanyama and Luka Dončić, did not achieve All-Star status in their debut seasons, indicating the difficulties faced by new players in securing such a spot.
Top 10 Rookie Performers
| Rank | Name | Team | Points per Game | Rebounds per Game | Assists per Game |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cooper Flagg | Dallas Mavericks | 18.9 | 6.5 | 4.2 |
| 2 | Kon Knueppel | Charlotte Hornets | 19.5 | 5.1 | 3.5 |
| 3 | VJ Edgecombe | Philadelphia 76ers | 16.5 | 5.4 | 4.1 |
| 4 | Derik Queen | New Orleans Pelicans | 13.1 | 7.2 | 4.1 |
| 5 | Cedric Coward | Memphis Grizzlies | 13.7 | 6.6 | 2.9 |
| 6 | Dylan Harper | San Antonio Spurs | 11.3 | 3.2 | 3.7 |
| 7 | Maxime Raynaud | Sacramento Kings | 10.5 | 6.4 | 1.1 |
| 8 | Jeremiah Fears | New Orleans Pelicans | 14.3 | 3.6 | 3.1 |
| 9 | Egor Dëmin | Brooklyn Nets | 9.9 | 3.3 | 3.4 |
| 10 | Tre Johnson | Washington Wizards | 12 | 2.9 | 1.8 |
As we progress through the season, it will be crucial to monitor performance trends among these players. The potential for more than one rookie to be selected for the All-Star Game remains low, but the excitement surrounding the Kia Rookie Ladder continues to grow.
