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The 2025-26 NBA Rookie of the Year (ROY) ladder race is shaping up to be interesting three weeks into the season. VJ Edgecombe took a commanding lead atop our power rankings for a while, but the production of the Philadelphia 76ers' No. 3 pick has shrunk after a blistering start.
Meanwhile, Cooper Flagg is living up to his billing after a cold run in his first few games. He's made the most progress of anyone since last week. Elsewhere, his former Duke teammate, Kon Knueppel's chances of defying the odds to win the ROY honors have grown.
We also saw a new name introduced into the top five after Dylan Harper's injury absence, which, as expected, put him out of contention.
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Without further ado, let's dive into this week's list and why the players deserve to be where they are on our latest NBA ROY power rankings, with notable mentions.
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NBA Rookie of the Year 2025-26 Season: Latest Power Rankings - Nov. 13, 2025
Knocking on the door:
#10 Ace Bailey, Utah Jazz
#9 Will Richard, Golden State Warriors
#8 Tre Johnson, Washington Wizards
#7 Ryan Kalkbrenner, Charlotte Hornets
#6 Jeremiah Fears, New Orleans Pelicans
#5 Derik Queen, New Orleans Pelicans
Last week's ranking: - (-)
Season stats: GP 11 | PPG 10.7 | RPG 5.6 | APG 2.1 | SPG 1.1 | BPG 0.5 | TOV 1.8
FG 49.5% | 3-PT FG 11.1% | FT 77.1%
The Pelicans continue to get flak for trading their 2026 first-round pick to draft Derik Queen at No. 13. However, the 20-year-old prospect out of Maryland may have silenced some of the criticism with his performances on the court.
Since our last rankings were released on Nov. 6, Queen has averaged 17.0 points, 6.0 rebounds and 4.3 assists per game, shooting 52.4% and 85.7% from the free throw line.
Queen was not likely to make the top five this week if not for his exceptional career night on Wednesday against the Trail Blazers. He scored 26 points and provided seven rebounds and four assists, with just one turnover on 66.7% shooting.
Queen already looks like a veteran. To further stamp himself as one of the best prospects in the draft, he's also received Spurs legend Tim Duncan's endorsement.
On Saturday, after Queen amassed 13 points, five rebounds, a career-high eight assists and two blocks against San Antonio with Duncan in attendance, the five-time NBA champion apparently messaged this to the Spurs' announcer:
"Tim Duncan just sent me a text. He said, 'Man, I really like that Queen guy.'"
There's little to no reason for Queen to drop out of the rankings if he maintains this level of play.
#4 VJ Edgecombe, Philadelphia 76ers
Last week's ranking: 1 (↓3)
Season stats: GP 11 | PPG 15.4 | RPG 5.5 | APG 4.3 | SPG 1.4 | BPG 0.5 | TOV 2.0
FG 40.9% | 3-PT FG 36.2% | FT 75.9%
VJ Edgecombe's regression has been drastic following his electrifying start that put him at the top of our rankings for the last two weeks.
Since the Nov. 6 edition, Edgecombe has underperformed the most among his ROY rivals, averaging a measly 9.3 ppg, 5.3 rpg, 3.0 apg and 2.7 tpg. He's shooting 28.6%, including 25.0% from 3 and 62.5% from the free throw line.
Edgecombe has hit a rookie slump, but it might have come sooner than expected. The No. 3 pick has played every game and averages the most minutes of any rookie at 37.3. For reference, Cooper Flagg is next at 32.8 mpg.
Nevertheless, Edgecombe remains essential to the Sixers' plans. He's impacting games with his touches and presence, which is what Philadelphia would want from the 20-year-old.
However, if VJ Edgeombe doesn't recover from his slump, his intangibles alone might not be enough for him to maintain his spot on this list.
#3 Cedric Coward, Memphis Grizzlies
Last week's ranking: 3 (=)
Season stats: GP 13 | PPG 14.3 | RPG 5.9 | APG 3.1 | SPG 0.9 | BPG 0.4 | TOV 1.2
FG 48.4% | 3-PT FG 37.5% | FT 89.6%
Cedric Coward's position on the ROY power rankings remains unchanged. One of the best underdog stories this season, the former DIII prospect's production has remained consistent, along with his intangibles.
Since our last rankings, Coward has averaged 14.3 ppg, 7.0 rpg. 4,0 apg and 1.0 tpg. However, he's hit a rough shooting patch over the past few games. Coward is connecting on 38.6% of his shots, including 31.8% from deep.
Nevertheless, he has scored 10 points in all but two games and impacted the game with his rebounding, playmaking and defense. It's kept him afloat in the rankings while he works his way out of a shooting slump.
On another positive note, Cedric Coward joined an elite list after his second 20-point rookie game against the Mavericks on Friday.
He finished with 21 points, nine rebounds and four assists on 7 of 10 shots, joining Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson and Grant Hill as the only rookies to score 150+ points, 50+ rebounds, 25+ assists and 10+ steals, while recording a 57.5% true shooting percentage.
#2 Cooper Flagg, Dallas Mavericks
Last week's ranking: 4 (↑2)
Season stats: GP 12 | PPG 15.1 | RPG 6.8 | APG 3.3 | SPG 1.4 | BPG 0.8 | TOV 2.3
FG 42.1% | 3-PT FG 28.6% | FT 82.5%
Cooper Flagg is up two spots from last week following the best stretch of his rookie season. The No. 1 pick is proving why he's the odds-on favorite to win the ROY award.
Flagg's four-game stretch since our last power rankings saw him average 16.5 ppg, 7.0 rpg, 4.5 apg, 2.0 spg and 1.0 bpg. He's shooting 47.5%, but his 3-point shot remains a work in progress with a 27.8% conversion rate.
Cooper Flagg's breakout game against Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Bucks on Monday was the highlight of the week. He scored a career-high 26 points, nine rebounds, four assists and two steals on 9 of 15 shooting. Flagg became the second 18-year-old to score at least 25 points, joining LeBron James.
In the following game against the Suns on Wednesday, Flagg produced an all-around effort with 16 points, six rebounds, six assists, two blocks and three steals, entering another exclusive club.
He joined LeBron James, Kevin Garnett and Wendell Carter Jr. as the only four teenagers to register 15 points, five rebounds, five assists, three steals and two blocks in a game.
Flagg continues to reap the benefits of playing in his natural position as a three, showing his true potential as a two-way player. As he gets more comfortable, there's every reason to believe he will live up to expectations and have a similar trajectory to his Duke career, where he had a slow start before exploding into life.
#1 Kon Knueppel, Charlotte Hornets
Last week's ranking: 2 (↑1)
Season stats: GP 11 | PPG 16.6 | RPG 6.4 | APG 2.8 | SPG 0.5 | BPG 0.1 | TOV 2.3
FG 44.6% | 3-PT FG 39.8% | FT 88.9%
Kon Knueppel's consistency has been off the charts through three weeks. He joined the ROY race as a surprise candidate, and it has not taken him long to claim the top spot after three weeks.
Knueppel had the best stretch among rookies since our last rankings, averaging 21.7 ppg, 8.0 rpg, 4.3 apg and 2.7 tpg. He's shot 42.6%, including 37.0% from 3 on 9.0 attempts and 93.8% from the free throw line.
Knueppel leads all rookies in scoring and is third in rebounding. The No. 4 pick is also on course to be the all-time rookie leader in made 3-pointers per game with 3.2 and total 3s made (currently at 35).
With LaMelo Ball sidelined, Kon Knueppel has showcased his on-ball prowess, shot creation and scoring. After becoming the first rookie this season to score 20 points in consecutive games, he produced a career-high 30-point night last Friday.
Knueppel also nearly dropped his first triple-double this season against the Lakers on Monday, tallying 19 points, 10 rebounds and nine assists, while shooting 6 of 11.
He's been excellent at dissecting defenses. Knueppel's come out on top against most coverages, and it's all the Hornets could have asked for from the 20-year-old.
Considering his impact and efficiency across the board, it seems unlikely another rookie will knock him off the top spot over the next couple of weeks, at least.
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