Basketball analysis: Ranking the best NBA rookies of the 2025-26 season so far

The 2025 NBA Draft was always going to be defined by the arrival of Cooper Flagg – yet, despite Flagg’s impressive start, he is far from the only rookie to make an impact.

As the season reaches its midpoint following the All-Star Game break, a number of first-year players have already pulled ahead as influential starters.

Here, Sports News Blitz writer Jake Reed looks at the top five NBA rookies so far this season.