Philadelphia 76ers guard VJ Edgecombe (77) dribbles the ball past Charlotte Hornets guard Sion James (4) during an NBA game on Oct. 25, 2025.

It took just two weeks for the NBA's rookie class to prove preseason expectations this year no longer necessarily apply.

No. 1 pick Cooper Flagg is off to a rockier-than-expected start and No. 3 pick VJ Edgecombe is off to a historic one. No. 2 pick Dylan Harper is already hurt and the Charlotte Hornets have three rookies in their starting lineup (and the best one might be the lowest-drafted). The rookie class looks strong with several notable performances in the opening games of the 2025-26 NBA season, just as observers predicted. But the intrigue includes less-heralded figures like Cedric Coward of the Memphis Grizzlies.

The race is on to be named NBA Rookie of the Year in 2026, and it's more wide open than anticipated. USA TODAY Sports is tracking the league's best rookies throughout the 2025-26 regular season and ranking them based on how they're doing on the court. Here's a breakdown of how they stack up after the first two weeks of the NBA schedule:

NBA rookie rankings

Stats as of games played on Nov. 4, 2025; NBA Rookie of the Year odds as of Nov. 5, courtesy of BetMGM.

On the bubble: Sion James, Egor Demin, Walter Clayton Jr., Nique Clifford

10. Derik Queen, New Orleans Pelicans

  • NBA Rookie of the year odds: +15,000

The Pelicans' decision to trade their 2026 first-round pick in order to move up and select Queen at No. 13 in 2025 remains controversial, particularly with the team off to a bad start. Queen's playing time has been uneven, but he had 12 points, 8 rebounds, 7 assists and 4 steals when New Orleans beat the Hornets on Sunday. He's also due for an increased role with Zion Williamson hurt again.

9. Collin Murray-Boyles, Toronto Raptors

  • NBA Rookie of the year odds: +6600

The No. 9 pick in the 2025 NBA draft broke out with a 19-point performance against the Spurs on Oct. 27 and entered the Raptors' starting lineup for three games due to the absence of Jakob Poeltl. His two-way capabilities were on display when he scored 15 points, grabbed nine rebounds, dished five assists and had three steals in a Nov. 2 win over Memphis.

8. Tre Johnson, Washington Wizards

  • NBA Rookie of the year odds: +3500

The Texas sharpshooter has cooled off some after a blistering start but he has scored in double figures and hit multiple 3-pointers in all but one game for the Wizards this season. Johnson should have a stable role and shot diet as Washington continues its rebuild.

7. Jeremiah Fears, New Orleans Pelicans

  • NBA Rookie of the year odds: +6600

Fears put together four consecutive notable performances as a scorer and playmaker after moving into the Pelicans' starting lineup, emerging in the midst of a rough stretch for New Orleans to start the season. The No. 7 overall pick in the 2025 NBA draft is averaging 13.3 points, 3.3 assists and 1.4 steals per game.

6. Ryan Kalkbrenner, Charlotte Hornets

  • NBA Rookie of the year odds: +5000

No NBA rookie is averaging more rebounds (7.1) or blocks (2.4) per game than the 7-footer from Creighton, who trails only Victor Wembanyama in blocks throughout the entire league this season. Kalkbrenner recorded his second double-double of the season (10 points, 11 rebounds) in a Nov. 4 loss to New Orleans in which he also had four blocks. The No. 34 pick in the 2025 NBA draft is also 34 of 41 (83%) from the field overall.

5. Cooper Flagg, Dallas Mavericks

  • NBA Rookie of the year odds: -110

The No. 1 overall pick is still the betting favorite to win rookie of the year despite some struggles offensively while being asked to play point guard to start this season. But Flagg's performances have also included a 22-point, 4-assist, 4-rebound, 0-turnover showing on Oct. 26, his first career double-double and his first poster dunk in the NBA as the Mavericks navigate injuries to Kyrie Irving and others. Flagg is averaging 13.6 points, 6.3 rebounds and 2.9 assists, but on 38.8% shooting.

4. Dylan Harper, San Antonio Spurs

  • NBA Rookie of the year odds: +4000

The No. 2 pick from this year's draft was settling into a very comfortable role to start his NBA career before suffering a calf strain in the Spurs' game against the the Los Angeles Lakers on Sunday, Nov. 2. Harper's spot in these rankings will be short-lived (for now) as he is sidelined indefinitely due to the injury. The guard was averaging 14 points, 4 rebounds and 3.8 assists as a playmaker off the bench for San Antonio.

3. Kon Knueppel, Charlotte Hornets

  • NBA Rookie of the year odds: +1600

Knueppel, the highest-drafted of Charlotte's strong rookie class, is playing well so far as a floor spacer and secondary playmaker for the Hornets. He's averaging 14.8 points, 5.8 rebounds and 2.3 assists while shooting 41% from 3-point range. His 25 3-pointers are the most by any rookie and among the top 10 in the NBA this season.

2. Cedric Coward, Memphis Grizzlies

  • NBA Rookie of the year odds: +2500

The Grizzlies traded up to pick Coward at No. 10 in the 2025 draft and he was a bright spot before the team encountered its current issues with coach Tuomas Iisalo and Ja Morant. Coward is emerging as a two-way threat on the wing earning heavy rotation minutes of the bench early after playing just six games at Washington State last season due to a shoulder injury. He is averaging 15.3 points, 5 rebounds and 2.5 assists per game and shooting at a 58.3% clip, including 48.3% from 3-point range.

1. VJ Edgecombe, Philadelphia 76ers

  • NBA Rookie of the year odds: +115

The No. 3 pick in the 2025 NBA draft had a 34-point outburst in his debut and has scored in double figures in every game since during a stunning start to his career that drew comparisons to what Magic Johnson did upon entering the league more than 45 years ago. Edgecombe is averaging 19.1 points, 5.1 rebounds, 4.9 assists, and 1.6 steals over more than 38 minutes per game during the opening few weeks of the season, while also shooting better than 43% from 3-point range.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: VJ Edgecombe leads NBA rookie rankings with Cooper Flagg off to rocky start

Reporting by Mark Giannotto, USA TODAY / USA TODAY

USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect