Entering the 2025-26 college basketball season, the hype around the incoming freshmen class was palpable. Led by the likes of Darryn Peterson, AJ Dybantsa, Cameron Boozer and Caleb Wilson, that group departed college basketball as one of the best freshmen classes of this generation. Now, as those players enter their rookie seasons in the NBA, there is even more hype surrounding what could be one of the best rookie classes this century.
Peterson and Dybantsa are joining unique situations: the Jazz and Wizards both missed the playoffs, but there is infrastructure in place for those teams to make a huge jump this season. Peterson and Dybantsa won't have to shoulder the load of being the guy from Day 1. Because of how deep this class is, other players throughout the lottery are set for a significant role immediately.
One name to watch is Kings guard Darius Acuff Jr., who will be handed the keys to Sacramento's offense immediately. Acuff was an All-American during his one-and-done season at Arkansas and was the best true point guard in the sport. Outside of the top 10 picks, Warriors forward Yaxel Lendeborg — the oldest player drafted in the first round — should get an opportunity to start from Day 1.
With Kristaps Porziņģis' status in limbo to begin the season, Lendeborg's number will be called on even more than anticipated. With the season on the horizon, here are the 10 rookies who could make a significant impact for their respective teams. All rookie of the year odds are via FanDuel Sportsbook.
Boozer was comfortably the best player in college basketball last season. He went No. 3 to the Grizzlies anyway because Peterson and Dybantsa were in the same draft class. Boozer probably goes No. 1 in most years, but not in 2026.
What makes Boozer so good? It's a combination of his elite basketball IQ, passing and rebounding. Boozer is a bruiser down low who uses pump fakes to draw contact to get to the line.
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