As the 2025-26 NBA season tips off soon, a fresh wave of talent steps onto the hardwood. Beyond the top draft picks, several rookies are poised to make immediate impacts and surprise fans with their skill, versatility, and potential to become future stars.

Cooper Flagg – Dallas Mavericks

The highly touted No. 1 overall pick, Cooper Flagg, is expected to contribute immediately with his 6-foot-9 frame, elite defense, and advanced playmaking. Flagg’s versatile skill set and basketball IQ place him among the front-runners for Rookie of the Year, ready to bolster a Mavericks team eager for youthful energy and new leadership.

Yang Hansen – Portland Trail Blazers

Selected 16th overall, 7-foot-1 Yang Hansen arrives from China with a unique skill set often compared to Nikola Jokic due to his exceptional passing and basketball IQ. Yang has drawn international attention for his versatile big-man playstyle and is poised to become a fresh global face in the NBA this season.

Jase Richardson – Orlando Magic

A late first-round pick, Richardson is a scoring guard known for his defensive intensity and efficient shooting. His ability to impact games off the bench and adapt quickly to NBA pace makes him a rising rookie to watch as Orlando seeks depth and consistency in its backcourt.

Bogoljub Markovic – Milwaukee Bucks

Markovic, a Serbian forward, boasts a rare combination of size (6-11), shooting, and playmaking. Though not a lottery pick, his high basketball IQ and international experience position him as a sleeper prospect capable of earning early rotation minutes as he adjusts to the NBA’s physical demands.

Cedric Coward – Memphis Grizzlies

Drafted outside the lottery, Coward impressed with his two-way play at Washington State. Known for his length, energy, and sharp decision-making, Coward is primed to contribute as a defensive specialist and secondary ball-handler, bringing balance and upside to Memphis’ young core.

These five rookies blend top-tier potential with promising under-the-radar talent, shaping a compelling rookie narrative heading into the new NBA season.