NBA official rookie rankings updated: Echekum leads the list, Yang Hansen trade asset ranks second

On October 30th Beijing time, the NBA official website updated the rookie rankings, placing 76ers’ third pick Echekum at number one, and the Grizzlies’ 11th pick Coward at second, who was originally the Trail Blazers’ trade asset for Yang Hansen. Here are the top 10 rankings and breakdown —

1. Echekum, 76ers

Season stats: averaging 22.3 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 5.5 assists per game

Draft position: 3rd overall pick

The only potential factor dampening enthusiasm for Echekum is the experience of last year’s 76ers rookie McCain. McCain, once an early favorite for Rookie of the Year, averaged 15.3 points but suffered a left knee meniscus tear, playing only 23 games before ending his season early. In September, he underwent thumb ligament surgery, further delaying his return. No one wants to see such “bad luck” repeat, especially for the 76ers, now boasting a dynamic backcourt duo of Maxey and Echekum.

This wing player from Baylor University not only has all the necessary physical attributes but also clearly possesses a mature basketball mindset. He stated this week, “I’m a student of the game, so I know exactly where my scoring opportunities lie.”

2. Coward, Grizzlies

Season stats: averaging 16.5 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 2.3 assists per game

Draft position: 11th overall pick

“Draft sleepers” usually come from late first round or second round picks, while “draft steals” are represented by players like Coward—who has made fans of teams that missed out on him deeply regretful. The Grizzlies bucked the trend by trading up five spots to select him, undeterred by his shoulder labrum injury.

Thanks to extra playing time from teammates’ injuries, Coward has delivered remarkable shooting efficiency: 69.7% overall field goal percentage and 64.3% from three-point range.

3. Dylan Harper, Spurs

Season stats: averaging 14.8 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 4.8 assists per game

Draft position: 2nd overall pick

Five-time NBA champion Ron Harper welcomed his son Dylan Harper at age 42, meaning we’ll never see a “Harper father and son on the same team” moment like LeBron and his son. However, the Spurs rookie clearly embodies the “championship DNA” of the five-time champ — Dylan’s court awareness far surpasses his peers, ranking in the top 5 across seven rookie statistical categories.

Harper said, “I don’t want to limit myself to one skill; I just want to be a well-rounded player.”

4. Flagg, Mavericks

Season stats: averaging 13 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 2.5 assists per game

Draft position: 1st overall pick

In a game against the Thunder, Flagg left due to a left shoulder injury, sparking debate about Coach Kidd’s initial decision: was starting this rookie as point guard during Irving’s absence “a new challenge broadening his vision,” or did the “responsibility to serve teammates” limit his offensive aggressiveness?

After Russell took over point guard duties, Flagg’s performance improved. His best game so far was against the Raptors: 22 points, 4 rebounds, 4 assists, and zero turnovers — a feat only Kobe Bryant had previously achieved among 18-year-old rookies with 20+ points and no turnovers in a single game.

5. Trey Johnson, Wizards

Season stats: averaging 14.8 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 2 assists per game

Draft position: 6th overall pick

The Wizards are a youthful team: eight players have less than one season of NBA experience, and eleven have under two seasons. Even so, Johnson has found a way to stand out — he and Durant are the only teenagers in NBA history to score at least 16 points and hit 2+ three-pointers in each of their first three career games. His offensive efficiency is now drawing widespread attention.

6. Knuppel, Hornets

Season stats: averaging 16 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 2 assists per game

Draft position: 4th overall pick

Knuppel set an NBA rookie record for most three-pointers made in the first four career games, surpassing all previous rookies. He made 16 of 30 three-point attempts (53.3%), beating Kings’ Keegan Murray and Pacers’ Duarte, both of whom made 13 threes in their first four games. This season, he aims to challenge Murray’s rookie record of 206 threes in a single season set three years ago.

7. Fells, Pelicans

Season stats: averaging 10.7 points, 2 rebounds, and 1.7 assists per game

Draft position: 7th overall pick

Fells’ first start (against the Celtics) was also his worst game: in a heavy loss, he shot 1-for-11 for 2 points, with 2 assists and 4 turnovers. Yet teammate Zion isn’t worried, saying, “Fells already has the professionalism and toughness of a veteran. This kind of setback won’t break him; he’ll just come back to practice the next day and keep working.”

Fells’ rookie debut was stronger: 17 points in 18 minutes.

8. Quinn, Pelicans

Season stats: averaging 10 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 1 block per game

Draft position: 13th overall pick

Due to injuries to teammates Looney and Missy, the Pelicans had to play Quinn at center. In an overtime loss to the Spurs, Quinn logged 35 minutes, repeatedly matching up against the much taller Wembanyama — a true test of “sink or swim” for him.

Teammate Fells commented, “Quinn is very smart, with a unique skill set, and his basketball IQ is one of his biggest strengths. He reads the game and anticipates opponents’ positions, making him extremely valuable to our team.”

9. Murray-Boyles, Raptors

Season stats: averaging 9.5 points, 2.5 rebounds, and 1.5 steals per game

Draft position: 9th overall pick

Defense is the key reason Murray-Boyles remains in the Raptors’ rotation; he is currently working on developing his three-point shooting to become a “3-and-D” player. The 20-year-old rookie from South Carolina missed the first two games with a forearm strain and said, “If I’m open, I’ll shoot. Since being drafted, I’ve been practicing my threes, so now I try to stay confident.” At this stage, he has become a defensive disruptor for the team.

10. Kalkbrunner, Hornets

Season stats: averaging 9.5 points, 7.3 rebounds, and 1 block per game

Draft position: 34th overall pick (second round)

When adjusted per 36 minutes, this 7-foot center from Creighton University nearly averages a double-double: 12.9 points and 9.9 rebounds per game. Offensively, he focuses on his strengths, hitting 19 of 21 shots for an impressive 90.5% field goal percentage.