If you thought the 2025-26 NBA Rookie of the Year race was already decided, you might want to check the latest standings. The post-All-Star break push is officially underway, and the battle for the top spot just got incredibly interesting.
According to the newest NBA Kia Rookie Ladder released on February 25, Charlotte Hornets rookie Kon Knueppel has officially reclaimed the number one position, bumping Dallas Mavericks star Cooper Flagg down to number two.
This entire season has basically been a two-man race at the top of the draft class, but the latest shift proves that efficiency is carrying major weight with the voters right now. Let’s break down the new top three and what it means for the final stretch of the season.
1. Kon Knueppel, Charlotte Hornets (+1) Knueppel jumping back into the top spot is all about elite, highly efficient shooting. The Hornets wing is putting up 19.3 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 3.5 assists per night, but the raw numbers alone do not tell the whole story. He is shooting the absolute lights out. Hovering around 49 percent from the field, hitting 3.5 three-pointers a game, and shooting nearly 90 percent from the charity stripe makes him one of the most efficient perimeter players in the entire league, rookie or veteran. He does not force bad shots, and his offensive IQ is off the charts. Charlotte found an absolute gem, and his hyper-efficient play has rightfully earned him the top rung on the ladder this week.
2. Cooper Flagg, Dallas Mavericks (-1) Flagg sliding down to the second spot is definitely not a sign that he is hitting the rookie wall. The number one overall pick is still having an unbelievable season in Dallas, leading all rookies with 20.4 points to go along with 6.6 rebounds and 4.1 assists. He even started February on an absolute tear, averaging over 27 points a game during the opening stretch of the month. So why the drop? It really comes down to the margins. Flagg is carrying a massive offensive load for the Mavs, which naturally leads to lower shooting percentages from deep (averaging just 1.1 made threes a game) and slightly higher turnover rates compared to Knueppel. Make no mistake though, Flagg is still the odds-on betting favorite to win the award, and this race is far from over.
3. VJ Edgecombe, Philadelphia 76ers (Hold) Holding strong at the number three spot is Sixers guard VJ Edgecombe. While the top two guys get most of the national media attention, Edgecombe has quietly been putting together a fantastic two-way campaign. He is averaging over 15 points, 5.5 boards, and 4 assists, but his real calling card has been perimeter defense. Racking up 1.5 steals a game, he is taking on tough defensive assignments and producing at a high level for a Philadelphia team that has serious playoff expectations.
The Chasing Pack The rest of the ladder features some familiar faces holding down important rotation spots. Big man Derik Queen of the Pelicans and Cedric Coward of the Grizzlies are holding strong in the top tier of contenders, both proving they belong in the league with consistent, high-energy minutes.
