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The NBA Rookie of the Year (ROY) race is shaping up nicely as we head into week seven of the 2025-26 season. After a slow start and ups and downs, odds-on favorite Cooper Flagg is finding his feet as a pro, and it's reflected in our power rankings.
He has closed the gap between himself and Kon Knueppel, who has been No. 1 for three straight weeks after the Hornets rookie went into a bit of a slump. Meanwhile, Pelicans' Jeremiah Fears has covered significant ground after consistent performances. He trailed only Flagg as Best Newcomer from last week's ranking.
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We also have a new entrant in the top five as a result of Flagg and Knueppel being in a tie for first place.
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Here's a look at the latest NBA Rookie of the Year (ROY) power rankings.
New in NBA 2026: Latest Power Rankings (December 4)
Notable mentions:
#10 Caleb Love
#9 Tre Johnson
#8 Ryan Nembhard
#7 Ryan Kalkbrenner
#6 VJ Edgecombe
#5 Ace Bailey, Utah Jazz
Last week's rank: 8 (↑3)
Season stats: GP 20 | PPG 10.3 | RPG 3.4 | APG 1.8 | SPG 0.9 | BPG 0.3 | TOV 1.3
FG 46.2% | 3-PT FG 35.8% | FT 84.2%
Ace Bailey it earns a spot in the top five after being among the notable mentions for several weeks. The Jazz lottery pick had a strong run last week, averaging 12.3 ppg, 3.0 rpg, 2.0 apg, 1.0 spg, 1.0 bpg and 1.0 tpg in three games. He shot 53.6 percent, including 46.7 percent from deep on 5.0 attempts.
Bailey's ability to play within the system has stood out. He's embraced his role and it's working well for Utah, which has won two of its last three. Bailey was a plus-minus +3.3 in that stretch.
On Monday, he arguably produced his best performance, adding 13 points, three rebounds, three assists, three blocks and two steals in a 133-125 win over Houston. Bailey shot 5-for-11, including 3-for-8 from deep.
#4 Cedric Coward
Last week's rank: 5 (↑1)
Season statistics: GP 22 | PPG 13.0 | RPG 5.8 | APG 2.6 | SPG 0.6 | BPG 0.3 | TOV 1.3
FG 44.4% | 3-PT FG 33.7% | FT 85.7%
Cedric Coward remains afloat for now, securing the fourth spot in the latest ROY power rankings. His shooting woes carried over into last week as he averaged 8.7 ppg, 4.7 rpg, 1.0 apg and 2.3 tpg on 32.3% from the field and 7.7% from 3-point range.
The numbers don't show it, but Coward is a reliable presence on both ends. His intangibles have led the Grizzlies to lean more heavily on the rookie wing, who adds balance to multiple lineups with his IQ and versatility.
Coward has been held back by minutes restrictions, so he has struggled to find a rhythm with his shots. This should probably be resolved over the next few games as it could be a rookie slump for the unexpected ROY candidate.
#3 Derik Queen, New Orleans Pelicans
Last week's ranking: 3 (=)
Season statistics: GP 22 | PPG 12.3 | RPG 6.2 | APG 3.5 | SPG 1.0 | GDP 0.7 | TOV 2.2
FG 48.3% | 3-PT FG 11.8% | FT 77.4%
Derik Queen holds his position despite a slight dip in production and efficiency. The No. 13 pick averaged 12.7 points, 6.0 rpg, 3.0 apg and 1.7 rpg in three games last week. He shot 43.3%.
After subpar performances at Golden State and the Lakers, Queen's bounced back against Minnesota on Tuesday. He scored 21 points, grabbed eight rebounds and dished out six assists on 8-of-15 shooting.
Queen looked as comfortable as ever, putting to bed any doubts about her ability to perform at this level as a rookie.
#2 Jeremiah Fears, New Orleans Pelicans
Last week's rank: 4 (↑2)
Season statistics: GP 22 | PPG 15.7 | RPG 3.3 | APG 2.8 | SPG 1.5 | GDP 0.2 | TOV 2.3
FG 44.9% | 3-PT FG 36.4% | FT 78.7%
Jeremiah Fears moves up one spot to #2 after a high-scoring streak since our last ranking. He averaged 19.3 ppg, 3.7 rpg, 3.3 apg, 1.3 spp and 2.0 ptg on 43.2% shooting, including 35.7% from deep in three games.
After an inefficient 16-point night to start the week at Golden State in which he shot 5-for-17, Fears bounced back against the Lakers and Timberwolves in the next few games, scoring 21 points in each matchup.
He also made over 50.0% of his field goal attempts and showed his growing talent for playmaking. Fears seemed more in control in clutch situations, which really helped his case in this week's power rankings.
#T-1 Cooper Flagg, Dallas Mavericks
Last week's rank: 2 (↑1)
Season statistics: GP 22 | PPG 17.3 | RPG 6.6 | APG 3.3 | SPG 1.4 | GDP 0.2 | TOV 2.3
FG 47.6% | 3-PT FG 25.6% | FT 80.0%
Cooper Flagg improved across the board after a stellar week. The No. 1 pick averaged 23.5 ppg, 7.3 rpg, 4.3 apg, 1.5 spg and 2.3 tpg, shooting 56.9 percent and 81.8 percent from the free throw line in four outings. He also enjoyed a 3-1 stretch, for which he was largely responsible.
Flagg started the week with a near triple-double against the Lakers on Friday, falling short of three assists after delivering 13 points and 11 rebounds. In the next three games, Flagg produced his best scoring streak with three consecutive 20-point games. He started off Saturday with a 35-point night against the Clippers.
He scored 24 against the Nuggets on Monday and 22 against the Heat on Wednesday, leading the Mavericks to a season-high three-game winning streak. Flagg has been a favorite option in the clutch for Dallas.
He leads the team in clutch scoring (by five points, leading or trailing in the final five minutes), averaging 3.3 ppg and 1.3 rpg, shooting 59.3 percent and 90.5 percent from the free throw line.
#T-1 Kon Knueppel, Charlotte Hornets
Last week's ranking: 1 (=)
Season statistics: GP 22 | PPG 18.1 | RPG 5.6 | APG 3.0 | SPG 0.7 | GDP 0.2 | TOV 2.3
FG 45.7% | 3-PT FG 40.7% | FT 90.2%
Could Knueppel held its No. 1 spot despite the rise of Cooper Flagg. The Hornets' No. 4 pick hit his rookie slump last week after averaging 15.8 ppg, 5.3 rpg, 4.0 apg and 2.0 tpg, shooting 37.9 percent, including 35.5 percent from 3 in four games.
He started the week with a six-point game in a blowout loss against the Knicks on 2-for-12 shooting. After posting five 20-plus point games in Week 6, Knueppel managed just one of those games in his last four outings.
He also shot over 50.0% once. However, Kneuppel regained momentum over the final two games, scoring a total of 38 points while shooting 8-for-16 from deep.
He was fifth in scoring last week, but remains No. 1 on the season. Knueppel's playmaking and free-throw shooting have improved marginally in this stretch.
Edited by Arhaan Raje
