The 2025 NBA Rookie Class has Impressed

BY: VINCENT MENDOZA / CHIEF OF SPORTS

2025 NBA Draft Night (Photo via New York Times)

The 2025 NBA rookie class was projected to be among the best of the 21st century. Through the first 50-or-so games of these rookies’ careers, they’ve backed up those claims by producing at high volumes and leaving monumental impacts on their teams. From the lottery to the second round, and even undrafted, the 2025 class has started off strong and displays no signs of slowing down. 

Beginning with the Maine Event, the first overall pick, Cooper Flagg, has been the Mavericks’ biggest blessing since the superstar they traded away last February. Through 49 games, the 19-year-old is averaging 20.4 points, roughly seven rebounds and four assists, all while shooting 48 percent from the field and leading Dallas’ offense. 

In comparison to his newcomer peers, Flagg leads the pack in points per game and ranks among the top three in rebounds and assists per game and in total. On the defensive end, the point-forward is in the top five in total steals and blocks. 

Looking through a historical lens, Flagg is projected to be just the twelfth rookie in NBA history to finish with per game averages of 20 points, five rebounds, and four assists, joining the league’s greatest – LeBron James, Larry Bird, Michael Jordan, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, and others. 

Despite all the drama, chaos, and pressure Flagg was presented with by the Mavericks organization, fans, and media members, the consensus number one overall pick has overcome those factors and flourished. If this level of play continues, a Rookie of the Year award will be nothing in comparison to what else he can achieve.

The San Antonio selected Dylan Harper second overall out of Rutgers, and so far, he’s lived up to expectations. In 43 games played, the 6’5” guard is putting up 11 points, three rebounds, and four assists a game on 47 percent from the field. 

Despite lower marks from beyond the arc and free throw line, shooting 25 and 75 percent respectively, Harper is already one of the league's more crafty finishers around the basket, consistently making layups through traffic. Along with this, he demonstrates poise and confidence navigating the pick-and-roll, knowing when to look for his own basket or facilitate for teammates. 

Luckily for Harper, the Spurs are one of the league’s best organizations and possess win-now talent like point guard De’Aaron Fox and 7’5” superstar phenom Victor Wembanyama, despite only being 22 years old. Other young players like last year’s Rookie of the Year Stephon Castle and Devin Vassell provide a good mix of skills, and can grow with Harper, building continuity and chemistry. 

Dylan Harper is in one of the best situations a rookie could ask for. Hopefully for him and Spurs fans, the organization keeps the young core together to grow and compete for years to come. 

The third overall pick, VJ Edgecombe, selected by the Philadelphia 76er’s, has been worthy of said selection. Throughout 50 games, the 6’5” uber-athletic guard is averaging 15 points, 5 and a half rebounds, and four assists per game on relatively average efficiency. 

The 76ers, led by All-Star guard Tyrese Maxey and former MVP Joel Embiid, are getting exactly what they need from Edgecombe – an extra playmaker, energy provider, and solid backcourt defender. Despite starting the season off piping hot and tapering off a little bit, the 20-year-old will have plenty of room to grow, and possibly even compete for an Eastern Conference title. 

The Charlotte Hornets were fourth on the board and drafted Kon Knueppel. The former Blue Devil is racking up the second-most points per game at 19, while also averaging roughly six rebounds and four assists a game. If that wasn’t enough of an achievement, Knueppel is also the only rookie this season to surpass 1,000 points before the All-Star break. 

The most impressive facet of Knueppel’s game is arguably his knowledge and discernment regarding shot selection, and how it aligns with his hyper-efficiency. There have only been nine players in NBA history to achieve 50/40/90 status, and Knueppel is on the verge of joining that elite club, shooting 48.4 percent from the field, 43.1 percent from three, and 90.2 percent from the line – all while contributing to winning basketball.

Despite starting the season 11-22, the Hornets have a record of 15-7 since the beginning of the calendar year, good enough to propel them to ninth in the Eastern Conference. Now that the Hornets are winning games and Knueppel has cemented himself as a key player, not only will the Rookie of the Year award might go home with him, but he may also help Charlotte break a league-leading nine-season playoff drought. 

The following four picks, including Ace Bailey to the Utah Jazz, Tre Johnson to the Washington Wizards, Jeremiah Fears to the New Orleans Pelicans, and Egor Demïn to the Brooklyn Nets, all project as strong fits, particularly on the offensive end, with each rookie producing double-digit scoring figures.

Johnson has displayed elite shooting abilities, pulling from beyond 30 feet casually or getting back on defense before his attempts hit the nylon, all while shooting 38.6 percent from long range. Similarly, Fears and Demïn can both knock down the three ball,  

Moving deeper into the lottery, Cedric Coward and Derik Queen, picks 11 and 13 to the Memphis Grizzlies and New Orleans Pelicans, respectively, have filled the gaps in those positions nicely. Coward, who replaced Desmond Bane, has averaged a little over 13 points, six rebounds, and three assists.

Queen, who fills the shoes of any injured Pelicans player on any given gameday, is putting up 12 points, seven rebounds, and four assists on about 50 percent from the field. The 6’9” big man has been given the nickname “Baby Jokić”, and for good reason. Queen moves at a slower pace, isn’t the most athletic player, but uses pace, patience, and deception to best his opponents. 

Baby Jokić’s playstyle is depicted in his statlines, achieving a 33-point triple-double in a three-point loss to the Spurs on December 8, and another in a 21-point victory over the Wizards in which Queen totaled 14 points, 16 rebounds, and 12 assists. If that’s not enough to solidify the name, then his leading this draft class in total rebounds and assists should definitely do it. 

Other players in this class, including Collin Murray-Boyles, Carter Bryant, Tyrese Proctor, Maxime Raynaud, Ryan Kalkbrenner, and undrafted guard Caleb Love, have all made impacts on their respective teams as well. 

The 2025 rookie class has burst onto the scene, not just living up to the hype but redefining what an immediate impact looks like for first-year players across the league. From headliners like Cooper Flagg, Dylan Harper, VJ Edgecombe, and Kon Knueppel to lottery anchors, depth pieces, and even undrafted surprises, these newcomers are already reshaping rotations, increasing win totals, and energizing fanbases. If this trajectory holds, the conversation around this group may soon shift from “one of the best of the 21st century” to one of the most influential rookie classes in NBA history.