Cooper Flagg Surges to No. 1 on NBA Rookie Ladder
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Let's take a look at the top three NBA rookies so far this season.
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NBA: Rookie ladder as of January 14, 2026
The 2025‑26 NBA season has been full of exciting rookie performances, and the Kia Rookie Ladder as of January 14, 2026, highlights which first-year players are making the biggest impact. From high-flying scorers to versatile all-around contributors,
Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Dončić and Boston Celtics forward/guard Jaylen Brown have been named the Kia NBA Players of the Month for games played in January. Dallas Mavericks forward Cooper Flagg and Charlotte Hornets guard/forward Kon Knueppel have been named the Kia NBA Rookies of the Month for games played in January.
A pair of undrafted players led the Sioux Falls Skyforce, Miami's G League affiliate, to a win against the Mavericks' G League affiliate on Sunday.
The NBA released the rosters for the 2026 Rising Stars game this week, and the rookie list is stacked. From the No. 1 overall pick to some surprise standouts, this group features the best first-year players the league has to offer.
With the NBA now at the midpoint of its season, ESPN analyst Zach Kram ranks the top 10 rookies based on their performance.
Coinbase has announced the debut of NBA Rookie Firsts, a premium four-part content series highlighting the next wave of NBA talent as they begin their professional journeys. The series centers on the pivotal moments that define a rookie’s entry into the ...