In an NBA draft class that features elite top-end talent as well as noteworthy depth, there’s sure to be productive fantasy rookies when next season tips off, evidenced by our fantasy basketball rookie rankings below.
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Fantasy Basketball Rookie Rankings
Last season’s class ended up with a surprising number of capable fantasy players:
- Cooper Flagg averaged nearly 40 fantasy points per game.
- VJ Edgecombe and Kon Knueppel finished in the top 75 in fantasy points per game.
Ace Bailey, Cedric Coward, Jeremiah Fears, Dylan Harper, Maxime Raynaud and Derik Queen all showed promise of becoming key producers while putting up over 23 fantasy points per game.
The 2026 class, though, could reasonably produce three different Cooper Flagg-esque fantasy rookie campaigns and a greater number of notable first-year players. Yes, Cameron Boozer, AJ Dybantsa and Darryn Peterson are all that good.
Before the draft assigns these players to their new squads, let’s rank them to get a better grasp of them individually before team fit plays a role.
1. Cameron Boozer (F – Duke)
As mentioned in May’s mock draft, Cameron Boozer boasted one of the greatest statistical seasons in the history of college basketball.
The 6-foot-10 big man has all the makings of a fantasy stud. Boozer’s ability to score in the post, catch-and-shoot, rebound well on both ends and, most notably, pass at such a high level makes him an easy choice as the best fantasy rookie.
While Boozer isn’t the scorer that AJ Dybantsa and Darryn Peterson are, we all know that points aren’t exactly a catch-all metric or a definitive indicator of a good fantasy player. What Boozer does in addition to scoring is what separates him from his peers.
2. AJ Dybantsa (F – BYU)
The presumptive first overall pick and reigning NCAA scoring champ not being first in these rookie rankings may seem strange, but compared to Cameron Boozer, AJ Dybantsa‘s game is more one-dimensional.
That said, Dybantsa’s scoring prowess could very well propel him to become the top fantasy rookie. Couple that with his size, which most are hopeful will translate to better rebounding and defensive numbers as a pro, and you may end up with a rookie year not dissimilar to that of Paolo Banchero.
Banchero averaged 20 points, 6.9 rebounds and 1.3 stocks (steals plus blocks) per game on his way to winning the NBA Rookie of the Year Award in 2023.
3. Darryn Peterson (G – Kansas)
Darryn Peterson walked onto the Kansas campus with Kobe Bryant comparisons and the “best-guard-prospect-since…” label, and he really didn’t do anything negative to disprove them. Aside from nagging injuries, Peterson enjoyed a great collegiate season.
Although questions about Peterson’s Day 1 fit on an NBA team are up in the air. Peterson manned the role of elite off-ball scorer at Kansas to such a degree that some wonder what position he will play at the next level.
It’s clear that the 6-foot-5 guard is an elite talent, but was Kansas coach Bill Self’s usage of Peterson a response to his inconsistent availability or truly indicative of his ball-handling abilities?
4. Caleb Wilson (F – UNC)
Caleb Wilson could emerge as a fantasy draft steal in the fall in the same way that Kon Knueppel was last season, but for entirely different reasons.
Knueppel flew under the radar because the consensus held that he wasn’t a capable athlete or driver and was overly reliant on catch-and-shoot actions. For Wilson, the athleticism and driving skills are comically present, but it’s the shooting that gives some cause for concern.
If the UNC product can become just a mild threat away from the ball as a rookie, the signs of fantasy stardom will quickly appear.
5. Darius Acuff Jr. (G – Arkansas)
Despite major defensive flaws, Darius Acuff Jr. has the best combination of a high ceiling and high floor as a fantasy rookie outside of the top three.
To be blunt, it’s so difficult to imagine Acuff not starting from the jump. It sounds silly to prop up the fantasy stock of a player on the claim that he’ll sell tickets, but it just may be true for the offensively tantalizing Acuff. His involvement should be awfully high as a rookie.
The 6-foot-2 lead guard can score from all three levels. He was wildly efficient doing so despite carrying the Razorbacks’ offense, and he can really distribute the ball.
6. Kingston Flemings (G – Houston)
What Kingston Flemings lacks in height and wingspan is made up for by speed, athleticism and an all-around impact in every game.
Flemings doesn’t exactly fit the physical mold of a contemporary NBA point guard, and while that lowers his ceiling, it’d be disingenuous to write him off because of that.
Flemings is a blur in the open floor — on both sides — and can manipulate his speed to sell a rim attack for a patented mid-range counter. He’s a trusty passer and makes his presence felt defensively, as well.
Flemings’ fantasy impact is likely going to be chalked up to how much control of the offense he’ll obtain.
7. Yaxel Lendeborg (F – Michigan)
Lucky for Yaxel Lendeborg, season-long fantasy basketball couldn’t care less if he’ll be a 24-year-old rookie when the season starts in October. What season-long fantasy basketball cares about is versatility, and Lendeborg is primed for just that.
The National Champion Lendeborg is an analytics darling who will be immune to team fit. A popular comparison for him is 6-foot-10 Josh Hart, which should tell you all you need to know.
8. Keaton Wagler (G – Illinois)
Keaton Wagler‘s offensive upside is legit, but he’ll need to improve defensively and fill out his 6-foot-5 frame if he wants to play consistently early on. Whether he’s able to make meaningful strides in those areas over the course of the summer remains to be seen.
Wagler was excellent at running a methodical offense at Illinois while also serving as an integral part of the team off the ball. He’ll only be able to be an elite rookie producer if he’s given the keys to an offense.
9. Aday Mara (C – Michigan)
As the clear best center in the class, Aday Mara going in the top 10 appears to be a lock. With that, the Michigan man should slot into a starting role or at least an equitable timeshare.
Mara’s versatility is what makes him such an intriguing fantasy player. He is a more polished post scorer than Donovan Clingan, a popular comparison to the Spaniard, and brings a ton of juice as a playmaker. On the defensive side, Mara should excel at blocking shots thanks to his 7-foot-4 frame.
10. Mikel Brown Jr. (G – Louisville)
Mikel Brown Jr. and Keaton Wagler are in similar positions as fantasy prospects. Wagler is ranked ahead of Brown because of his playmaking acumen.
The former Louisville Cardinal projects as one of the best, if not the best, volume perimeter shooters in the class. Brown attempted at least 10 threes in five games last season and finished the campaign as a 34.4% shooter from deep.
11. Labaron Philon Jr. (G – Alabama)
If Labaron Philon Jr. finds a way to take the best parts of his game from his freshman and sophomore seasons and combine them as an NBA rookie, this ranking will look silly.
As a freshman, Philon stood out as a solid defender for someone of his height and build, and a work in progress on offense. Flash forward a year, and the Alabama sophomore is the most efficient high-volume guard in the country and a downright liability defensively.
The reason for the decrease in defensive quality probably has more to do with shouldering a larger offensive role than anything else. But fear not, there’s a near-zero chance that Philon will be asked to do as much scoring and playmaking as a rookie.
12. Brayden Burries (G – Arizona)
Unlike most guards in the class, Brayden Burries projects as a secondary ball-handler or off-ball weapon in the NBA. Again, like with Kon Knueppel, we know players like this can put up fantasy points if they’re in the right environment.
Burries finished his successful freshman season at Arizona with 56.2/39.1/80.5 shooting splits, leading the stacked squad in scoring. His stocky frame also allowed him to compete on the defensive end.
13. Bennett Stirtz (G – Iowa)
Bennett Stirtz hardly ever came off the floor in his junior and senior seasons at Drake and Iowa. Yet, he still maintained excellent efficiency. Averaging 37.7 minutes and 19.8 points per game on 60.7% true shooting is incredibly impressive.
On the other hand, questions about Stirtz’s lack of vertical pop and burst are valid. In an NBA filled with athletic and tenacious perimeter defenders, Stirtz will face some growing pains.
14. Hannes Steinbach (C – Washington)
Hannes Steinbach‘s game lends itself to solid fantasy production. He led the nation in rebounding in his lone season in Washington and shot nearly 62% on two-point attempts. If he’s drafted to a team that values efficient big men who rebound well, his stock will rise quickly.
Steinbach possesses mobility at the center position that teams covet. While he’s a tad undersized, all other signs point to him becoming a good pro.
15. Ebuka Okorie (G – Stanford)
Despite his small stature, Ebuka Okorie is quickly rising up consensus draft boards. The Stanford product mulled a college return, but opted to remain in the draft. For teams eyeing a sparkplug backup and developmental lead guard, Okorie will be a great fit.
Okorie averaged 23.2 points per game on 58.9% true shooting at just over 6-foot-1 as a freshman. He has the burst and driving capabilities that remind many of Tyrese Maxey.
Fantasy Basketball Rookie Rankings: Best of the Rest
- 16. Allen Graves (F – Santa Clara)
- 17. Morez Johnson Jr. (F – Michigan)
- 18. Dailyn Swain (F, G – Texas)
- 19. Cameron Carr (G, F – Baylor)
- 20. Nate Ament (F – Tennessee)
- 21. Christian Anderson (G – Texas Tech)
- 22. Karim Lopez (F – New Zealand)
- 23. Joshua Jefferson (F – Iowa State)
- 24. Henri Veesaar (C – UNC)
- 25. Zuby Ejiofor (F, C – St. John’s)
- 26. Chris Cenac Jr. (F – Houston)
- 27. Isaiah Evans (G, F – Duke)
- 28. Koa Peat (F – Arizona)
- 29. Tarris Reed Jr. (C – UConn)
- 30. Jayden Quaintance (C, F – Kentucky)