A Rookie Class for the Ages: How the 2025 Draft Is Already Reshaping the NBA
Every NBA season brings a wave of new talent, but the 2025–26 rookie class has arrived with a force few expected. Instead of one standout prospect dominating early headlines, this group has delivered a rare combination of depth, versatility, and immediate impact. Multiple first‑year players are already carving out major roles, influencing winning basketball, and flashing the potential to become franchise cornerstones.
From undrafted surprises to top‑five picks living up to the hype, this class is quickly establishing itself as one of the strongest in recent memory. And just a few months into the season, the league is already buzzing about what these young players might become.
Below, we break down the rookies who have separated themselves early — and why this draft class might be remembered as a turning point for the NBA.
Ryan Nembhard: The Undrafted Guard Who Forced His Way Into Dallas’ Starting Lineup
Every great rookie class has at least one unexpected breakout — and this year, that honor belongs to Ryan Nembhard, the younger brother of Indiana Pacers guard Andrew Nembhard.
Despite going undrafted in 2025, Nembhard signed a two‑way contract with the Dallas Mavericks and wasted no time proving he belonged. With Kyrie Irving sidelined due to injury, Dallas experimented with several backcourt combinations before giving the rookie a chance.
He didn’t just seize the opportunity — he exploded.
On December 1, in a matchup against the defending champion Denver Nuggets, Nembhard delivered one of the most efficient performances by any rookie guard in recent years:
28 points
10 assists
85% shooting from the field
4-of-5 from three
35 minutes played
A Mavericks win
For an undrafted rookie to produce that line — against Nikola Jokić and the Nuggets — is almost unheard of.
Nembhard’s poise, decision‑making, and ability to play off Luka Dončić have earned him a temporary starting role, and he currently sits inside the top 10 of the NBA’s rookie ladder. Even when Irving returns, Dallas may have found a long‑term rotation piece who can stabilize their guard depth for years.
Derrick Queen: A Historic Triple‑Double and a Star in the Making
If there’s one rookie who has exceeded even the most optimistic expectations, it’s Derrick Queen.
Originally drafted 13th by the Atlanta Hawks and traded to the New Orleans Pelicans, Queen quickly earned a spot in the rotation — and then the starting lineup — thanks to his blend of size, skill, and basketball IQ.
Through the first months of the season, Queen is averaging:
12.9 points
6.4 rebounds
3.9 assists
50% shooting
25 minutes per game
But his breakout moment came on December 8, when he delivered one of the most impressive rookie performances in NBA history:
33 points, 10 rebounds, 10 assists, 4 blocks The first 30‑point triple‑double ever recorded by a rookie center.
Only four other players under 21 have ever posted a 30‑point triple‑double: LeBron James, Luka Dončić, Victor Wembanyama, and De’Aaron Fox.
Queen is now the fifth.
Even reigning MVP Nikola Jokić praised the rookie after facing him, calling him “a different type of player” and complimenting his feel for the game.
Queen’s combination of passing, touch, and interior presence has drawn comparisons to modern hybrid bigs — the kind of centers who can anchor an offense without dominating the ball. If he develops a consistent three‑point shot, he could become one of the most complete big men of his generation.
Kanon Canip: The Draft’s Best Shooter and a Perfect Fit in Charlotte
Every draft produces one elite shooter — but Kanon Canip might be more than that.
Selected fourth overall by the Charlotte Hornets, Canip has immediately validated the pick with his scoring efficiency and off‑ball movement. Through the early season, he’s averaging:
18.0 points per game
46% from the field
40% from three
90% from the free‑throw line
That puts him on the fringe of the ultra‑rare 50/40/90 club — as a rookie.
Canip’s ability to relocate, shoot off screens, and punish defensive lapses makes him an ideal partner for LaMelo Ball, whose playmaking thrives alongside elite spacing. Canip has also shown flashes as a secondary creator, making smart reads and attacking closeouts with confidence.
His early play has drawn comparisons to a young Klay Thompson — but with more on‑ball polish. If he continues at this pace, he could become one of the league’s premier perimeter threats for the next decade.
Cooper Flagg: The No. 1 Pick Who Already Looks Like a Franchise Player
The most hyped prospect in the class has lived up to every expectation — and maybe even surpassed them.
Cooper Flagg, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, has reclaimed the top spot on the rookie ladder thanks to his all‑around impact and fearless approach to the game. At just 18 years old, Flagg is averaging:
17.3 points
6.3 rebounds
3.3 assists
47.5% shooting
He has already taken over late‑game possessions for the Mavericks, showing maturity well beyond his age. And on November 30, he became the youngest player in NBA history to score 35+ points in a game.
Flagg’s versatility is what makes him special. He has already logged minutes at point guard, defended multiple positions, and shown the ability to score at all three levels. His three‑point shot is still developing, but his mechanics and confidence suggest it will come with time.
What stands out most is how comfortable he looks. Flagg spent last year practicing against Team USA stars like Kevin Durant and LeBron James — and it shows. He plays with the poise of a veteran and the athleticism of a rising superstar.
If he continues on this trajectory, Flagg could become the face of the Mavericks’ future — and one of the league’s next great two‑way forwards.
Other Standouts: A Deep Class With Real Staying Power
Beyond the headline names, this rookie class is filled with players who are already contributing meaningful minutes.
Dylan Harper — San Antonio Spurs
A crafty left‑handed guard with a smooth scoring package and underrated playmaking. Harper has shown the ability to do a little bit of everything and looks like a long‑term starter.
Jeremiah Fears — New Orleans Pelicans
One of the fastest guards in the class, Fears pushes the pace, attacks the rim, and gives New Orleans a dynamic scoring punch off the bench.
VJ Edgecombe — Houston Rockets
Explosive, aggressive, and fearless. Edgecombe has impressed with his athleticism and defensive intensity, carving out a role in a crowded rotation.
Across the league, teams are discovering that this class isn’t just top‑heavy — it’s deep. Many rookies who weren’t projected as immediate contributors are already earning minutes, and several look like future starters.
Why This Rookie Class Feels Different
The 2025 class stands out for several reasons:
1. NBA‑ready skill sets
Many of these rookies arrived with polished games — shooting, passing, defensive versatility — that translate immediately.
2. High basketball IQ
Players like Queen, Flagg, and Canip process the game quickly, making advanced reads uncommon for first‑year players.
3. Physical maturity
This class features multiple rookies who already have NBA‑level strength, size, or athleticism.
4. Opportunity
Several teams rebuilding or retooling have given rookies real roles from day one — and they’ve rewarded that trust.
5. Star potential across positions
Guards, wings, bigs — this class has elite prospects at every spot on the floor.
Looking Ahead: Who Will Become a Franchise Player?
It’s early, but a few rookies have already shown the traits of future All‑Stars:
Cooper Flagg — The most complete player in the class and a potential franchise cornerstone.
Kanon Canip — An elite shooter with star‑level scoring upside.
Derrick Queen — A modern big with rare passing instincts and historic production.
Others — like Harper, Edgecombe, and Fears — could become high‑level starters or key rotation pieces.
What makes this class special is not just the top talent, but the depth. Even undrafted players like Ryan Nembhard are breaking through, proving that this group is loaded from top to bottom.
A Rookie Class That Could Define the Next Decade
The NBA has seen strong rookie classes before — 1996, 2003, 2018 — but the 2025 class is already making a case to join that elite company. With multiple players showing star potential, several others emerging as high‑level contributors, and unexpected standouts rising from obscurity, this group has injected new energy into the league.
As the season progresses, these rookies will continue to grow, adapt, and shape the future of their franchises. And if the early months are any indication, the NBA is entering a new era defined by one of the deepest and most exciting rookie classes in years.
