The NBA Rookie of the Year (ROY) race is shaping up nicely as we head into the seventh week of the 2025-26 season. After a slow start and ups and downs, odds-on favorite Cooper Flagg is finding his feet as a pro, and it's reflecting in our power rankings.He's closed the gap between him and Kon Knueppel, who has been No. 1 for three consecutive weeks after the Hornets' rookie hit a mini-slump. Meanwhile, Pelicans' Jeremiah Fears has covered significant ground after consistent performances. He trailed only Flagg as the best rookie performer since last week's rankings.We also have a new entrant into the top five as a result of Flagg and Knueppel being in a tie-breaker for the No. 1 spot.Here's a look at the latest NBA Rookie of the Year (ROY) power rankings.NBA Rookie of the Year 2026: Latest Power Rankings (Dec. 4)Notable mentions:#10 Caleb Love#9 Tre Johnson #8 Ryan Nembhard#7 Ryan Kalkbrenner #6 VJ Edgecombe #5 Ace Bailey, Utah Jazz NBA: Houston Rockets at Utah Jazz - Source: ImagnLast week's ranking: 8 (↑3)Season stats: GP 20 | PPG 10.3 | RPG 3.4 | APG 1.8 | SPG 0.9 | BPG 0.3 | TOV 1.3FG 46.2% | 3-PT FG 35.8% | FT 84.2%Ace Bailey earns himself a top-five spot after being among the notable mentions for multiple weeks. The Jazz lottery pick had a solid run last week, averaging 12.3 ppg, 3.0 rpg, 2.0 apg, 1.0 spg, 1.0 bpg and 1.0 tpg in three games. He shot 53.6%, including 46.7% from deep on 5.0 attempts. Bailey's ability to play within the system has stood out. He's accepted his role and it's working well for Utah, which has won two of its last three. Bailey was a plus-minus +3.3 in that stretch. On Monday, he produced arguably his best performance, tallying 13 points, three rebounds, three assists, three blocks and two steals in a 133-125 win over Houston. Bailey shot 5 of 11, including 3 of 8 from deep.#4 Cedric Coward NBA: Memphis Grizzlies at New Orleans Pelicans - Source: ImagnLast week's ranking: 5 (↑1)Season stats: GP 22 | PPG 13.0 | RPG 5.8 | APG 2.6 | SPG 0.6 | BPG 0.3 | TOV 1.3FG 44.4% | 3-PT FG 33.7% | FT 85.7%Cedric Coward stays afloat for now, securing the fourth spot in the latest ROY power rankings. His shooting woes carried over into last week as he averaged a measly 8.7 ppg, 4.7 rpg, 1.0 apg and 2.3 tpg on 32.3% from the field and 7.7% from 3-point range.The numbers don't show it, but Coward's a reliable presence on both ends. His intangibles have led the Grizzlies to lean more on the rookie wing, who adds balance to multiple lineups with his IQ and versatility.Coward's been held back by minute restrictions, so it's been tough for him to find rhythm with his shots. That should likely resolve over the next few games, as this could be a rookie slump for the unexpected breakout ROY candidate.#3 Derik Queen, New Orleans Pelicans NBA: Minnesota Timberwolves at New Orleans Pelicans - Source: ImagnLast week's ranking: 3 (=)Season stats: GP 22 | PPG 12.3 | RPG 6.2 | APG 3.5 | SPG 1.0 | BPG 0.7 | TOV 2.2FG 48.3% | 3-PT FG 11.8% | FT 77.4%Derik Queen retains his position despite a minor dip in production and efficiency. The No. 13 pick averaged 12.7 ppg, 6.0 rpg, 3.0 apg and 1.7 tpg in three games last week. He shot 43.3%.After subpar performances at Golden State and the Lakers, Queen bounced back on Tuesday against Minnesota. He scored 21 points, grabbed eight rebounds and dished six assists on 8 of 15 shots.Queen looked as comfortable as he has ever been, putting any doubts to bed about his ability to perform at that level as a rookie.#2 Jeremiah Fears, New Orleans PelicansNBA: New Orleans Pelicans at Golden State Warriors - Source: ImagnLast Week's Ranking: 4 (↑2)Season stats: GP 22 | PPG 15.7 | RPG 3.3 | APG 2.8 | SPG 1.5 | BPG 0.2 | TOV 2.3FG 44.9% | 3-PT FG 36.4% | FT 78.7%Jeremiah Fears climbs up a spot to No. 2 after a high-scoring streak since our last ranking. He averaged 19.3 ppg, 3.7 rpg, 3.3 apg, 1.3 spg and 2.0 tpg on 43.2% shooting, including 35.7% from deep in three games. After an inefficient 16-point night to begin the week at Golden State in which he shot 5 of 17, Fears bounced back against the Lakers and Timberwolves in the following games, scoring 21 points in each matchup. He also made over 50.0% of his field goal attempts and displayed his growing playmaking talent. Fears looked more in control in clutch situations, which really helped his case in this week's power rankings.#T-1 Cooper Flagg, Dallas MavericksNBA: Miami Heat at Dallas Mavericks - Source: ImagnLast week's ranking: 2 (↑1)Season stats: GP 22 | PPG 17.3 | RPG 6.6 | APG 3.3 | SPG 1.4 | BPG 0.2 | TOV 2.3FG 47.6% | 3-PT FG 25.6% | FT 80.0%Cooper Flagg has improved across the board after a stellar week. The No. 1 pick averaged 23.5 ppg, 7.3 rpg, 4.3 apg, 1.5 spg and 2.3 tpg, shooting 56.9% and 81.8% from the free throw line in four outings. He also enjoyed a 3-1 stretch, which he was majorly responsible for.Flagg began the week with a near triple-double against the Lakers on Friday, falling short by three assists after delivering 13 points and 11 rebounds. In the three games that followed, Flagg produced his best scoring run with three consecutive 20-point games. It started with a career 35-point night against the Clippers on Saturday.He scored 24 against the Nuggets on Monday and 22 against the Heat on Wednesday, leading the Mavericks to a season-high three-game winning streak. Flagg has been a go-to option in the clutch for Dallas. He's leading the team in clutch points (with a five-point difference, ahead or behind in the last five minutes), averaging 3.3 ppg and 1.3 rpg, shooting 59.3% and 90.5% from the free throw line.#T-1 Kon Knueppel, Charlotte Hornets NBA: Charlotte Hornets at New York Knicks - Source: ImagnLast week's ranking: 1 (=)Season stats: GP 22 | PPG 18.1 | RPG 5.6 | APG 3.0 | SPG 0.7 | BPG 0.2 | TOV 2.3FG 45.7% | 3-PT FG 40.7% | FT 90.2%Kon Knueppel held onto his No. 1 spot despite Cooper Flagg's ascension. The Hornets' No. 4 pick hit his rookie slump this past week after averaging 15.8 ppg, 5.3 rpg, 4.0 apg and 2.0 tpg, shooting 37.9%, including 35.5% from 3 in four games. He began the week with a six-point game in a blowout loss against the Knicks on 2 of 12 shots. After amassing five games with 20+ points in the sixth week, Knueppel managed only one such game in his last four outings. He also shot over 50.0% once. Nevertheless, Kneuppel regained momentum over the past two games, scoring a combined 38 points while shooting 8 of 16 from deep.He was fifth in scoring last week, but remains No. 1 on the season. Knueppel's playmaking and free-throw shooting have marginally improved in this stretch.