'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
With four weeks of the 2025-26 NBA season done, the Rookie of the Year (ROY) ladder race remains as interesting as ever. Cooper Flagg began the season as the overwhelming favorite. V.J. Edgecombe took the league by storm in the first week, but hasn't reached those levels again.
Underdogs like Kon Knueppel, Cedric Coward and Derik Queen, meanwhile, have remained efficient and consistent. They are giving the favorites a run for their money, against all expectations, and are responsible for heating up the ROY race.
Last week's ROY power rankings saw a major shake-up as Knueppel took the No. 1 spot, followed by Flagg, Coward, Edgecombe and Queen, who made his entry into the top five for the first time.
Trending
After another unpredictable week, there are significant changes to the list again. Let's dive into it.
Explore the NBA Draft 2024 with our free NBA Mock Draft Simulator & be the GM of your favorite NBA team.
NBA Rookie of the Year 2025-26 Season: Latest Power Rankings - Nov. 20, 2025
Knocking on the door:
#10 Will Richard, Golden State Warriors
#9 Tre Johnson, Washington Wizards
#8 Ace Bailey, Utah Jazz
#7 Ryan Kalkbrenner, Charlotte Hornets
#6 Jeremiah Fears, New Orleans Pelicans
#5 VJ Edgecombe, Philadelphia 76ers
Last week's ranking: 4 (↓1)
Season stats: GP 14 | PPG 15.9 | RPG 5.7 | APG 4.3 | SPG 1.4 | BPG 0.5 | TOV 2.0
FG 41.1% | 3-PT FG 35.9% | FT 73.7%
After a lean two-week stretch, VJ Edgecombe is back on track and making an impact beyond just the intangibles. In his last three games, the Philadelphia 76ers' No. 3 pick has averaged 17.7 points, 6.3 rebounds, 4.3 assists and 1.3 steals. Edgecombe's shooting splits have improved slightly, to 41.7%, including 35.0% from 3-point range.
His performances haven't been smooth, but his ability to recover mid-game after rough stretches is noteworthy. Edgecombe uses momentum plays to get back in rhythm. In clutch time, the Sixers rookie has shot a phenomenal 8 of 9. This past week, he leaned on momentum-swinging plays to improve his production.
Edgecombe's 21-point night on Wednesday at home against Toronto was a prime example of that. He had a rough first half until the 1:25 minute mark as he went 0-for-6, scoring only three points off free throws, along with two assists, two rebounds and two turnovers. However, Edgecombe flipped the switch to produce four quick points, one assist, and another steal, which changed the course of his game.
He slides down another spot this week, mainly due to the next player's exceptional effort to close the week.
#4 Derik Queen, New Orleans Pelicans
Last week's ranking: 4 (↑1)
Season stats: GP 15 | PPG 11.7 | RPG 6.4 | APG 2.7 | SPG 1.1 | BPG 0.9 | TOV 2.4
FG 49.6% | 3-PT FG 16.7% | FT 74.5%
Derik Queen didn't make much noise for most of last week and could have found himself out of the rankings, if not for a 30-point explosion against three-time MVP Nikola Jokic's Nuggets on Wednesday. It has significantly improved his averages over the last four games since our previous rankings.
Queen averaged 14.3 ppg, 8.5 rpg. 4.5 apg, 1.0 spg and 1.8 spg, putting together his best two-way stretch of the season. He shot 50.0% from the floor.
Circling back to his phenomenal career night against Jokic and the Nuggets, Queen added nine rebounds, four assists, two steals and two blocks to his 30 points on 12 of 18 shots, including 1 of 2 from 3.
He used unorthodox yet effective ways to bamboozle Jokic and the Nuggets' defense. He even earned high praise from Jokic, who said he saw flashes of himself in Queen.
Queen arguably has an unparalleled feel for the game among his rookie peers. It might be too early, but some naysayers could align with Pelicans VP Joe Dumars' controversial choice to part ways with a 2026 first-round pick to draft Queen.
#3 Cooper Flagg, Dallas Mavericks
Last week's ranking: 2 (↓1)
Season stats: GP 12 | PPG 15.5 | RPG 6.3 | APG 3.1 | SPG 1.3 | BPG 0.7 | TOV 2.2
FG 45.5% | 3-PT FG 29.3% | FT 78.3%
No. 1 pick Cooper Flagg is growing increasingly comfortable with each week after an adversity-filled start to his rookie career. He's making the most of his chances while playing in his natural position at small forward as opposed to point guard.
In three outings since our last rankings, Flagg averaged 17.3 ppg, 4.7 rpg, 2.3 apg and 1.7 tpg on 59.0% shooting, including 33.3% from 3. It was his most efficient stretch, showing glimpses of his potential as a generational prospect.
One of the major positives since last week has been his improved play in the clutch. Flagg has been a threat in the open court for opposing defenses. He's showing tremendous poise for an 18-year-old in crunch situations, which is key for his development.
The only area where Flagg has struggled lately is his lack of assertiveness, especially early in games. Since moving off the ball, he hasn't been as involved as before, which must change, especially in the absence of Anthony Davis and Kyrie Irving.
#2 Cedric Coward, Memphis Grizzlies
Last week's ranking: 3 (↑1)
Season stats: GP 15 | #PPG 14.3 | RPG 6.4 | APG 2.9 | SPG 0.8 | BPG 0.4 | TOV 1.3
FG 47.7% | 3-PT FG 40.6% | FT 90.0%
The Memphis Grizzlies' No. 1 pick Cedric Coward reclaims the No. 2 spot for the first time since our ROY power rankings debut on Oct. 30. He is not among the bookmakers' favorites to win the award, but his on-court progression bodes well for his chances.
Coward played only twice this past week, but had an efficient run, averaging 14.5 ppg, 9.5 rpg and 1.5 apg. He shot 43.5%, but was 53.8% from 3 on 6.5 attempts. Coward has made a compelling case as the best two-way prospect in this draft thus far. He's been the only silver lining for Memphis amid a 4-11 season.
Coward has raised his level every week. He showed promise of a long-term NBA career as a high-end role player at first. However, Coward seems to project having a franchise centerpiece ceiling with everything that he brings to the table as a versatile wing.
He made the headlines on Tuesday after four-time champion Draymond Green compared him to Kawhi Leonard.
The potential future Hall of Famer said Coward is a better offensive player than Leonard at the same age, despite not boasting the same athletic traits.
With Ja Morant sidelined, we could see more of Coward's on-ball reps to get a more accurate assessment of his early ceiling projections.
#1 Kon Knueppel, Charlotte Hornets
Last week's ranking: 1 (=)
Season stats: GP 15 | PPG 18.3 | RPG 6/1 | APG 3.0 | SPG 0.8 | BPG 0.2 | TOV 2.5
FG 47.3% | 3-PT FG 40.3% | FT 88.6%
It almost feels like Kon Knueppel has yet to put a foot wrong four weeks into his NBA career. He's just been that good and consistent, unmatched among other ROY contenders.
After a phenomenal third week, Knueppel surged to the top spot. He became the only player to retain his position in the fourth week in our power rankings. In four games, Knueppel has amassed 23.0 ppg, 5.5 rpg, 3.5 apg and 1.5 spg, shooting 53.0%, including 41.7% from 3 and 87.5% from the free throw line.
No other rookie has matched the No. 4 pick's prowess to get to his spots at will and score efficiently on all three levels. Knueppel's ability to process the game at a high level makes him stand out, and the numbers back it.
He's the only player in his draft class to record seven 20-point games, three more than Flagg, who is second with four. Knueppel is also on track to shatter the all-time rookie 3-point record. He's making 3.3 per game. Knueppel can break Keegan Murray's record for total 3s at this rate. Murray had 206 in 80 games in 2023 (2.5 per contest).
Knueppel's showing decent potential on defense, too. It makes his game even more likable than it already is for a 20-year-old. Edgecombe has the production, Queen has the IQ, Flagg has the hype, Coward is efficient, and Knueppel has all four traits to back his case as an undisputed No. 1 on our ROY power rankings.
Pelicans Fan? Check out the latest New Orlean Pelicans depth chart, schedule, and roster updates all in one place.
