NBA rookie rankings: Yaxel Lendeborg leads loaded 2026 draft class

The loaded 2026 NBA Draft class is more than two weeks into its first season and early returns suggest there may be even more top-end talent than anticipated. Top picks AJ Dybantsa, Cameron Boozer and Caleb Wilson have all flashed star potential during encouraging starts, but perhaps the biggest revelation in the NBA thus far is Yaxel Lendeborg’s rapid emergence for the Golden State Warriors.

The No. 11 overall pick, who helped Michigan win a national title last season, has quickly provided the franchise hope it can extend its window as a championship contender during the final years of Steph Curry’s career. Lendeborg is one of six rookies currently averaging more than 30 minutes per game. There are 17 rookies overall playing at least 15 minutes per appearance, including three second-round picks and one player signed to a two-way contract.

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The race to be named rookie of the year and earn a spot on one the league’s all-rookie teams is going to be fierce if this many first-year players continue to play significant roles.

USA TODAY Sports is tracking the NBA’s rookies throughout the 2026-27 season. Here’s how the top first-year players stack up after the opening two weeks:

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Jokić, Shai or Wemby? Ranking the NBA’s 50 best players

1. Shai Gilgeous Alexander, Oklahoma City Thunder

(Alonzo Adams, Imagn Images)

1 / 50

Jokić, Shai or Wemby? Ranking the NBA’s 50 best players

1. Shai Gilgeous Alexander, Oklahoma City Thunder

(Alonzo Adams, Imagn Images)

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Jokić, Shai or Wemby? Ranking the NBA’s 50 best players

2. Nikola Jokić, Denver Nuggets

(Jesse Johnson, Imagn Images)

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Jokić, Shai or Wemby? Ranking the NBA’s 50 best players

3. Victor Wembanyama, San Antonio Spurs

(Wendell Cruz, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)

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Jokić, Shai or Wemby? Ranking the NBA’s 50 best players

4. Luka Doncic, Los Angeles Lakers

(Marc Lebryk, Imagn Images)

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Jokić, Shai or Wemby? Ranking the NBA’s 50 best players

5. Giannis Antetokounmpo, Miami Heat

(Sam Navarro, Imagn Images)

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Jokić, Shai or Wemby? Ranking the NBA’s 50 best players

6. Jalen Brunson, New York Knicks

(Bill Streicher, Imagn Images)

7 / 50

Jokić, Shai…

Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/nba-rookie-rankings-yaxel-lendeborg-164620258.html

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Publish date : 2026-11-05 16:46:00

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