NBA Rookie of the Year 2026: Cooper Flagg Leads the Race

The 2025 NBA Draft class has delivered, and the Rookie of the Year race is one of the best in recent memory. Cooper Flagg is the frontrunner, but he is not running away with it.

Cooper Flagg — The frontrunner

Flagg has lived up to the hype as the number one overall pick. He is averaging 17.8 points, 7.2 rebounds, and 3.4 assists while playing elite defense. His two-way impact has been compared to a young Kawhi Leonard — he can guard the best player on the opposing team while also being a primary scoring option. Flagg's maturity and basketball IQ are remarkable for a 19-year-old.

The challengers

Several other rookies are making strong cases. The second overall pick has been impressive with his scoring ability, averaging 16.4 points per game. His three-point shooting (38%) has been better than expected, and he has shown flashes of being a future All-Star. Another first-round pick has emerged as one of the best defensive rookies in years, averaging 2.1 steals per game.

Second-round steals

Every draft class produces a few second-round gems, and 2025 is no exception. A guard picked in the 40s has become a rotation player on a playoff team, averaging 11.2 points off the bench. These late-round finds are what separate great front offices from average ones.

Prediction

Flagg wins Rookie of the Year. His combination of scoring, defense, and team impact is the most complete package in the rookie class. He is the type of player who will be competing for All-Star selections within the next two years.

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