Get ready to uncover the next generation of fantasy basketball stars! Our rankings break down the 2025 NBA Draft class's impact on 8-Category and Points Leagues, giving you the edge in your draft. We analyze the immediate upside of top picks like the versatile Cooper Flagg and the high-scoring Ace Bailey, factoring in team situations and potential minutes.
Who will be this year's top rookie sleeper? Dive into our top 5 breakdowns, check out crucial statistical outlooks for Kon Knueppel and Egor Demin, and pinpoint which young talents will deliver the best early-season returns. Don't draft blind—get the insights you need to win your league!
This list is derived from our 2025-26 Fantasy Basketball Rookie Rankings, fueled by our projections for the upcoming NBA season.
Fantasy Basketball Rookie Rankings
| Player Name | 8-Category | Points League | Average Rank |
| Cooper Flagg | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Ace Bailey | 4 | 2 | 3 |
| Kon Knueppel | 2 | 5 | 3.5 |
| Dylan Harper | 5 | 3 | 4 |
| Egor Demin | 3 | 6 | 4.5 |
| Tre Johnson | 6 | 4 | 5 |
| Collin Murray-Boyles | 7 | 13 | 10 |
| Ryan Kalkbrenner | 11 | 9 | 10 |
| Jeremiah Fears | 12 | 8 | 10 |
| Yang Hansen | 9 | 12 | 10.5 |
| VJ Edgecombe | 10 | 11 | 10.5 |
| Khaman Maluach | 14 | 7 | 10.5 |
| Cedric Coward | 8 | 14 | 11 |
| Derik Queen | 16 | 10 | 13 |
| Walter Clayton | 13 | 15 | 14 |
| Asa Newell | 15 | 16 | 15.5 |
| Nolan Traore | 17 | 18 | 17.5 |
| Danny Wolf | 18 | 17 | 17.5 |
| Nikola Topic | 19 | 20 | 19.5 |
The Top 5
Cooper Flagg, Mavericks 
Cooper Flagg's meteoric rise includes the Maine Gatorade Player of the Year, the USA Basketball Male Athlete of the Year, and National High School Player of the Year. At Duke, he earned ACC Rookie of the Year and National College Player of the Year.
Flagg, who was the consensus No. 1 overall pick, is a versatile, high-motor player with elite defensive instincts and immense offensive potential. He will be vital for the Mavericks with Kyrie Irving sidelined, making him an intriguing, albeit unpolished, fantasy option.
Ace Bailey, Jazz 
Selected fifth, Bailey joins the Jazz as a score-first player who averaged 17.6 points and 7.2 rebounds at Rutgers.
Utah appears set to start Bailey at forward with Lauri Markkanen, despite competition from Kyle Filipowski and Taylor Hendricks. He should play nearly 30 minutes nightly. Expect some early inefficiency as he adjusts to opposing defenses, but his scoring upside makes him a rookie to watch.
Kon Knueppel, Hornets 
Knueppel, selected fourth overall by the Hornets, is one of the draft's top shooters, posting 48/41/91 college splits at Duke.
Averaging 14.4 points and 4.0 rebounds, he will likely start alongside LaMelo Ball and Brandon Miller, providing great spacing. While usage will be limited by Ball, Miller, and Miles Bridges, Knueppel should see consistent minutes if his defense holds up, prioritizing his development.
Egor Demin, Nets 
Five-star recruit Demin joined BYU, earning Big 12 All-Freshman and Honorable Mention honors, averaging 10.6 points and 5.5 assists.
The 6-foot-9 point-forward is an elite passer and defensive playmaker, projecting as an NBA floor general. His shooting (41/27/70 splits) is a concern, but his size offers an advantage. Demin is the likely starting point guard for the Nets, offering immediate assists and steals upside.
Tre Johnson, Wizards 
Johnson, the 6th overall pick, was a standout scorer at Texas, averaging 19.9 points on 43/40/87 splits and earning SEC Freshman of the Year.
He joins the rebuilding Wizards. While playing time is expected, Washington's deep roster, including veterans McCollum and Middleton and young talent like Sarr and Coulibaly, complicates his role. Johnson is a better points league option, with his fantasy value tied to depth chart changes.
Essential Fantasy Basketball Resources
Check out RotoWire's How to Play Fantasy Basketball guide for a complete walkthrough, but here is some basic advice:
- Check out custom NBA Fantasy Projections
- Look into Fantasy Basketball Mock Drafts
- Listen to a Fantasy Basketball Podcast
- Check in on Fantasy Basketball Player News
- Read Fantasy Basketball Articles
- Dive into RotoWire's Fantasy Basketball Draft Kit
- Study NBA Depth Charts
- See RotoWire's Fantasy Basketball Dynasty Rankings
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