The NBA’s next generation officially got its flowers on Wednesday night, with the league unveiling the 2025-26 All-Rookie Teams after an impressive debut season from several young stars across the league.
No surprise at the top of the list was Dallas Mavericks forward Cooper Flagg, who capped off a dominant rookie campaign by earning First Team honors after already taking home Rookie of the Year back in April.
Flagg led all first-year players with 21 points per game while also putting up 6.7 rebounds and 4.5 assists a night, shooting 46.8 percent from the field.
Joining Flagg on the All-Rookie First Team were Charlotte Hornets sharpshooter Kon Knueppel, Philadelphia 76ers guard VJ Edgecombe, San Antonio Spurs guard Dylan Harper and Memphis Grizzlies forward Cedric Coward.
Knueppel’s rookie season quickly became one of the best shooting campaigns ever from a first-year player. The Hornets guard knocked down 42.5 percent of his threes and shattered the NBA rookie record for most three-pointers made in a season.
Edgecombe also made a major impact immediately in Philadelphia, appearing in 75 games while averaging 16 points per game, the third-highest scoring average among rookies this season.
Harper may not have started consistently for San Antonio, but the explosive guard still became one of the Spurs’ most exciting young pieces.
Harper largely came off the bench in his 69 games for the Spurs, but he added helpful depth.
He ended up making a name for himself with highlight-reel dunks down the stretch of the season.
Coward rounded out the First Team after averaging 13.6 points, 5.9 rebounds and 2.8 assists across 62 appearances for Memphis while playing just under 26 minutes per game.
The NBA All-Rookie Second Team featured New Orleans Pelicans guard Jeremiah Fears, Utah Jazz forward Ace Bailey, Sacramento Kings center Maxime Raynaud, Toronto Raptors forward Collin Murray-Boyles and Pelicans forward Derik Queen.
Charlotte big man Ryan Kalkbrenner narrowly missed selection after receiving several Second Team votes.