NBA Rookie of the Year 2026: Cooper Flagg Finally Will get Sole Hold on Top Spot, VJ Edgecombe Returns (Dec. 18)

The 2026 NBA Rookie of the Year (ROY) race will doubtless come right down to former Duke teammates Cooper Flagg and Kon Knueppel. However, the 3-10 vary has remained fluid and would possibly keep the identical nearer to the top of the season.

That displays in our newest energy rankings of the NBA Rookie of the Year. Cooper Flagg emerged as the largest winner after changing into the only proprietor of the No. 1 spot following an outstanding week.

Meanwhile, Kon Kneuppel marginally missed out on staying tied along with his former faculty operating mate, however he might be again subsequent week if he continues to maintain the battle neck-and-neck.

Derik Queen had a below-par week and is most impacted by not solely his personal efficiency but additionally the performances of his friends. VJ Edgecombe, particularly, performed a key function in Queen’s exit from the highest 5 for the primary time since Nov. 13.

Here’s a take a look at all of the modifications in our newest NBA Rookie of the Year energy rankings in comparison with final week.

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NBA Rookie of the Year 2026: Latest Power Rankings (Dec. 18)

Just missed out

#10 Maxime Raynaud

#9 Ace Bailey

#8 Ryan Kalkbrenner

#7 Dylan Harper

#6 Derik Queen

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#5 VJ Edgecombe, Philadelphia 76ers

Last week’s rating: 6 (↑1)

Season stats: GP 22 | PPG 15.2 | RPG 5.6 | APG 4.0 | SPG 1.3 | TPG 1.7

FG 42.1% | 3-PT FG 38.8% | FT 77.2%

VJ Edgecombe returns within the high 5 of our NBA Rookie of the Year energy rankings after a three-week hiatus. The Philadelphia 76ers’ No. 3 choose seemingly rediscovered his mojo over the previous week, averaging 24.0 factors, 5.0 rebounds and three.5 assists, taking pictures 48.4%, together with 46.7% from deep in two outings. Edgecombe scored 20 apiece in each video games.

He was a plus-minus +8.5, impacting the sport at a excessive degree along with his two-way play. The 76ers wanted that within the absence of All-Star possible and MVP candidate Tyrese Maxey. Edgecombe appeared as snug as ever in that main function. He additionally performed a mixed 77 minutes.

On the season, Edgecombe is fourth amongst rookies in ppg and second in spg.

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#4 Cedric Coward, Memphis Grizzlies

Last week’s rating: 3 (↓1)

Season stats: GP 27 | PPG 13.4 | RPG 6.2 | APG 2.8 | SPG 0.6 | TOV 1.6

FG 46.0% | 3-PT FG 31.1% | FT 84.9%

Cedric Coward slides down a spot this week after getting outplayed by Jeremiah Fears (No. 3). Coward had a stable two-way efficiency over the previous three video games, nonetheless, averaging 14.0 ppg, 6.3 rpg, 3.7 apg and a couple of.7 tpg. He shot 53.1% from the sector regardless of making solely 25.0% of his 3-point photographs, the place he is struggled for a number of weeks.

The Grizzlies went 2-1 in that interval. While Coward’s protection has earned him large reward, it is his evolving capacity offensively that has taken middle stage these days. His downhill recreation, off-ball motion and playmaking have stood out probably the most. Once his 3-point shot begins falling once more, Coward might be a power to be reckoned with on a number of fronts.

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#3 Jeremiah Fears, New Orleans Pelicans

Last week’s rating: 4 (↑2)

Season stats: GP 27 | PPG 15.7 | RPG 3.4 | APG 3.1 | SPG 1.4 | TOV 2.3

FG 44.8% | 3-PT FG 36.4% | FT 80.2%

Jeremiah Fears is quietly placing collectively one of the productive seasons by a rookie. Last week, he managed 19.5 ppg, 4.5 rpg, 3.5 apg and 1.5 spg in two video games. Fears shot 59.3% from the sector and 85.7% from the free-throw line.

His 3-point taking pictures (25.0%) and turnover charge (3.0) impacted his worth, however his scoring, rebounding and protection compensated for it. He was a plus-minus +11.5, main New Orleans to consecutive wins.

Fears is as much as third within the rookie scoring ladder, averaging 15.7 ppg on 45/36/80 splits.

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#2 Kon Kneuppel, Charlotte Hornets

Last week’s rating: 1 (↓1)

Season stats: GP 26 | PPG 19.0 | RPG 5.4 | APG 3.5 | SPG 0.7 | TOV 2.3

FG 47.2% | 3-PT FG 40.5% | FT 92.1%

Kon Kneuppel lastly drops a spot within the ROY energy rankings. It wasn’t due to his efficiency, however Cooper Flagg, who went nuclear in that stretch.

Nevertheless, Knueppel was as environment friendly and productive as he may have been. He averaged 31.0 ppg, 4.5 rpg and 6.0 apg in two video games, taking pictures 57.5% from the sector, together with 42.1% from deep and 100.0% from the free-throw line.

Knueppel stays stable as a No.1 choice within the absence of LaMelo Ball. He’s additionally doing it effectively, which has helped him hold the lead amongst rookies in scoring at 19.0 ppg. Knueppel might have dropped a spot, but when he maintains this degree of play whereas Flagg struggles, he may retain his lead within the ROY race.

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#1 Cooper Flagg, Dallas Mavericks

Last week’s rating 1 (=)

Season stats: GP 26 | PPG 18.4 | RPG 6.3 | APG 3.5 | SPG 1.3 | BPG 0.7 | TOV 2.2

FG 48.2% | 3-PT FG 25.0% | FT 80.5%

Cooper Flagg finds himself because the ROY race chief for the third consecutive week. Flagg had the perfect two-game stretch of his season, averaging 32.0 ppg, 6.0 rpg, 7.0 apg, 1.0 spg and 1.5 bpg, taking pictures 53.5%. That included a record-shattering 42-point recreation in Monday’s loss at Utah. Flagg turned the youngest participant to attain 40 factors within the NBA.

It was the primary 40-point recreation for a rookie this season. Flagg is rising extra snug on the offensive finish, shrugging off early-season struggles. He’s attending to his spots with ease. Flagg’s revival has reached unprecedented ranges at this level.

He’s additionally been the most effective clutch gamers. According to “Extra,” Flagg has made 12 of 17 game-tying or go-ahead photographs within the last 5 minutes of a recreation, which is probably the most environment friendly mark throughout the NBA. Cade Cunningham is second, taking pictures 11 of 19.