The 2026 NBA Rookie of the Year (ROY) race continues to spring new surprises each week. After weeks of absence, Dylan Harper is making a comeback into the top five after an excellent stretch since he returned from a calf injury. The No. 2 pick has been stellar for the San Antonio Spurs, who are without Victor Wembanyama.Meanwhile, Derik Queen and Cedric Coward have gained a position each after impressive performances since our last ROY power rankings. After making it to No. 1 for the first time last week, Cooper Flagg remains at the summit with former Duke teammate and No. 4 pick Kon Knueppel.Here's a recap of how the rookies fared over the last week, which caused the shake-up in our latest 2026 NBA Rookie of the Year power rankings.NBA Rookie of the Year 2026: Latest Power Rankings (Dec. 11)Just missed out:#10 Maxime Raynaud #9 Ryan Kalkbrenner 9#8 Ace Bailey #7 Ryan Nembhard #6 VJ Edgecombe #5 Dylan Harper, San Antonio SpursNBA: San Antonio Spurs at Los Angeles Lakers - Source: ImagnLast week's ranking: NA (-)Season stats: GP 14 | PPG 13.4 | RPG 3.1 | APG 3.9 | SPG 0.9 | TPG 1.6FG 48.0% | 3-PT FG 27.3% | FT 71.7%Dylan Harper returns to the top five of the 2026 NBA Rookie of the Year power rankings for the first time since Nov. 6. The No. 2 pick missed significant time with a calf injury, but hasn't missed a beat since he came back on Nov. 26. Harper's performances have only improved since then.Over the past week, he played three games, averaging 12.7 points, 3.3 rebounds and 5.0 assists on 43.6% shooting. That included a 22-point, six-assist game-winning effort against the Pelicans on Monday, followed by a 13-point night in NBA Cup quarterfinals against the Lakers on 50.0% shooting.Harper's downhill game among guards could easily rank among the best across the league at this stage. With an 11-3 record, he has the highest winning percentage among rookies.#4 Jeremiah Fears, New Orleans Pelicans NBA: New Orleans Pelicans at Brooklyn Nets - Source: Imagn Previous ranking: 2 (↓2)Season stats: GP 25 | PPG 15.4 | RPG 3.4 | APG 3.1 | SPG 1.4 | TOV 2.2FG 43.6% | 3-PT FG 36.9% | FT 79.8%Jeremiah Fears loses a couple of spots due to a combination of factors. His own production and efficiency dipped while the players who passed him had better weeks. In three games this past week, Fears averaged 13.0 ppg, 4.0 rpg, 5.0 apg and 1.0 spg, shooting 34.1% and 42.9% from deep.He made considerable jumps with his playmaking and 3-point shot, but his overall percentage fell off over the past two games against Brooklyn and San Antonio. Fears managed 19 points on 6 of 24 shooting from the floor in that stretch.#3 Cedric Coward, Memphis GrizzliesNBA: Portland Trail Blazers at Memphis Grizzlies - Source: ImagnLast week's ranking: 4 (↑1)Season stats: GP 24 | PPG 13.3 | RPG 6.2 | APG 2.7 | SPG 0.6 | TOV 1.5FG 45.1% | 3-PT FG 31.8% | FT 83.8%Cedric Coward gains a spot for the second consecutive week. The No. 11 pick averaged 17.0 ppg, 10.0 rpg, 4.0 apg and 2.0 tpg last week in two games. He shot 50.0% despite his ongoing struggles from 3, from where he went 11.1% on 4.5 attempts.Nevertheless, Coward did a fantastic job of leaning into his other strengths offensively. He showcased his ability in transition, pick-and-roll and at the rim in halfcourt possessions to put together an impressive two-game stretch.Coward also impressed with his rebounding. He grabbed a career-high 14 boards in Friday's win over the LA Clippers.#2 Derik Queen, New Orleans Pelicans NBA: San Antonio Spurs at New Orleans Pelicans - Source: ImagnLast week's ranking: 3 (↑1)Season stats: GP 25 | PPG 12.9 | RPG 6.4 | APG 3.9 | SPG 1.0 | BPG 0.8 | TOV 2.3FG 49.6% | FT 79.6%Derik Queen had the best week for any rookie. He averaged 17.0 ppg, 7.7 rpg, 6.7 apg and 1.3 bpg, shooting 58.6% in three games. It propelled him to No. 2 on the ROY power rankings for the first time.Queen had a record-shattering 33-point triple-double with four blocks against the Spurs on Monday. He shot 11 of 15 from the field and 11 of 13 from the free-throw line. Queen became the only rookie to score 25+ points, 10+ rebounds, 10+ assists and 3+ blocks in an NBA game. He's also the only rookie with a triple-double this year.Almost every week, he has one or two performances, proving the Pelicans right about offloading a 2026 unprotected first to draft him 13th. At this rate, the pressure will be on that rookie next year to perform to Queen's standards.#T-1 Kon Knueppel, Charlotte Hornets NBA: Charlotte Hornets at Toronto Raptors - Source: ImagnLast week's ranking: 1 (=)Season stats: GP 24 | PPG 18.0 | RPG 5.5 | APG 3.3 | SPG 0.8 | TOV 2.4FG 45.9% | 3-PT FG 40.3% | FT 90.9%Kon Knueppel retains his position as the No. 1 pick for the fifth straight week. After hitting a slump, Knueppel bounced back over the past two games. He averaged 17.5 ppg, 3.5 rpg and 5.5 apg on 48.0% shooting, including 36.8% from beyond the arc and 100.0% from the free-throw line.He scored 21 points and seven assists in a 111-86 blowout win over the Raptors on Friday, which was his highlight game. Knueppel is quickly becoming the franchise centerpiece and the focal point of the Hornets' plans despite rostering LaMelo Ball and Brandon Miller.Despite impressive performances from others, he remains the leading scorer among rookies not just this past week, but also on the season.#T-1 Cooper Flagg, Dallas Mavericks NBA: Houston Rockets at Dallas Mavericks - Source: ImagnLast week's ranking: 1 (=)Season stats: GP 24 | PPG 17.3 | RPG 6.4 | APG 3.3 | SPG 1.3 | BPG 0.7 | TOV 2.2FG 47.5% | 3-PT FG 25.3% | FT 82.2%Cooper Flagg has started a streak in our ROY power rankings at No. 1. He matched Kneuppel this past week with his two-game stretch, averaging 17.5 ppg, 3.5 rpg, 2.5 apg, 1.0 spg and 1.0 bpg, shooting 46.2%.He's also closing the gap on Knueppel in the rookie scoring title race. While Knueppel impresses with his playmaking beyond scoring, Flagg relies on his two-way play. The No. 1 pick is also doing it in the clutch. At 18, Flagg is already earning a reputation as one of the best in crunch time.He looks as poised as ever and his growing comfort is allowing him to perform more consistently.