The NBA's latest rookie class is already making an impact, but after the first three weeks of the 2026-27 season, one name has emerged at the top of the Kia Rookie Ladder: Yaxel Lendeborg of the Golden State Warriors. His impressive all-around performances have helped fuel the team's eight-game winning streak, while Darius Acuff Jr. and Cameron Boozer are also making strong early impressions.
Key Takeaways From This Week's Rookie Ladder
- Yaxel Lendeborg takes the No. 1 spot after averaging 21.4 points, 7.2 rebounds and 4.0 assists for the Warriors.
- Darius Acuff Jr. climbs to No. 2 with historic scoring and playmaking numbers for the Sacramento Kings.
- Cameron Boozer drops to No. 3 but continues to impress with his all-around contributions for the Memphis Grizzlies.
- Darryn Peterson, AJ Dybantsa and Caleb Wilson headline the next group of rookies making their mark in the NBA.
Golden State's Yaxel Lendeborg Leads the Rookie Ladder
It's not often that a rookie joins a team featuring established stars such as Stephen Curry, Draymond Green and Jimmy Butler, while playing under the guidance of head coach Steve Kerr. However, Yaxel Lendeborg has quickly found his place with the Golden State Warriors.
The No. 11 overall pick has impressed with his scoring and shooting, while also contributing rebounds, assists, blocks and steals. He is currently averaging 21.4 points, 7.2 rebounds and 4.0 assists per game, shooting 52.3% from the field, 44.3% from three-point range and 75.8% from the free-throw line.
Lendeborg is also the only rookie among just six NBA players averaging at least 20 points, seven rebounds and four assists this season. The exclusive group also features Luka Dončić, Alperen Sengun, Nikola Jokić, Giannis Antetokounmpo and Scottie Barnes. His latest standout performance came against New Orleans, where he recorded 23 points, seven rebounds, four assists and one steal in a Warriors victory.
Golden State's progress has also been reflected in its results. After losing their first three games, the Warriors have won eight consecutive contests and are aiming for a ninth straight victory against the Houston Rockets on Wednesday. Lendeborg believes improved team chemistry has played an important role in the turnaround, explaining that the squad has become more connected as everyone has settled into their respective roles.
Darius Acuff Jr. Climbs to No. 2 With Historic Start
The Sacramento Kings' Darius Acuff Jr. has moved up one place to No. 2 after another productive week, establishing himself as one of the leading scorers and playmakers among this year's rookies.
The No. 7 overall pick is averaging 26.2 points, 7.3 assists and 3.8 rebounds per game, leading all rookies in scoring, assists and minutes played. Acuff's latest highlight was a 32-point, 10-assist and five-rebound performance against Miami. He has also recorded three double-doubles involving points and assists.
His early production has put him in rare NBA company. Acuff is only the second player in league history to record multiple games with at least 30 points and 10 assists before turning 20, joining LeBron James. He has also scored 259 points through his first 10 games, the highest total since Michael Jordan recorded 273 in 1984.
Cameron Boozer Continues to Impress Despite Dropping to No. 3
The Memphis Grizzlies' Cameron Boozer moves down from first to third in this week's rankings, but his all-around contributions remain an important part of his impressive rookie campaign.
The No. 3 overall pick is averaging 16.2 points, 9.7 rebounds and 5.5 assists per game. His latest standout performance saw him contribute 22 points, eight assists and seven rebounds in a win over Toronto.
Boozer has made an impact through his scoring, passing and rebounding, quickly showing why he was considered NBA-ready after coming out of Duke. His defensive rebounding has been particularly impressive. He ranks seventh among all NBA players with 8.0 defensive rebounds per game and became the first player since the league began tracking defensive rebounds in 1976-77 to collect at least 10 in each of his first three games.
Darryn Peterson and AJ Dybantsa Remain in the Top Five
Darryn Peterson Moves Up to Fourth
The Utah Jazz's Darryn Peterson climbs from sixth to fourth after a productive stretch, averaging 15.7 points, 4.0 rebounds, 3.8 assists and 1.2 steals per game. His latest performance included 26 points, six rebounds and four assists in a loss to Minnesota.
Peterson has also scored at least 20 points in three consecutive games, shooting 51.9% from the field and 45.8% from beyond the arc during that run. He added 13 assists, 12 rebounds, four steals and three blocks across those three outings.
AJ Dybantsa Holds Fifth Place
The Washington Wizards' AJ Dybantsa remains fifth in the rankings after another solid performance. The No. 1 overall pick is averaging 16.7 points, 6.1 rebounds, 2.1 assists and 1.1 steals per game.
Dybantsa recorded 21 points, eight rebounds and two blocks in a loss to Detroit. His ability to attack the basket has also helped him earn an average of five free-throw attempts per game. He missed the opening week of the season with a sprained ankle, meaning he is still catching up with other rookies in terms of games and minutes played.
Caleb Wilson and Aday Mara Lead the Next Group
Caleb Wilson Drops to Sixth
The Chicago Bulls' Caleb Wilson moves down two places to sixth, despite averaging 19.3 points, 6.3 rebounds, 2.1 assists and 1.9 steals per game. He recently enjoyed a three-game stretch in which he scored at least 20 points in each outing while shooting effectively, particularly from three-point range.
However, facing stronger defensive opponents has highlighted the challenge of maintaining consistent scoring efficiency as a rookie. His latest game saw him finish with 18 points, five rebounds and two steals in a loss to Philadelphia.
Aday Mara Maintains Seventh Place
The Oklahoma City Thunder's Aday Mara remains seventh in the rankings, averaging 8.3 points, 6.3 rebounds, 1.8 blocks and 1.4 assists per game. Mara's latest performance was an 18-point, eight-rebound, three-assist and three-block display in a win over Washington.
Although his per-game averages may not stand out as much as some of the other rookies, his production becomes more impressive when adjusted for playing time. Across 36 minutes, Mara averages 14.7 points, 11.1 rebounds, 3.2 blocks and 2.4 assists.
Mikel Brown Jr. Enters the Rankings as Kingston Flemings Slips
The Brooklyn Nets' Mikel Brown Jr. makes his first appearance on the Rookie Ladder at No. 8 after a productive two-game stretch. Brown is averaging 12.9 points, 3.9 assists and 2.1 rebounds per game. He recorded 18 points, four assists, one block and one steal in just 20 minutes during a win over Charlotte. Over his last two games, he has averaged 18 points while shooting 45.8% from the field.
The Atlanta Hawks' Kingston Flemings drops one place to ninth. He is averaging 8.5 points, 4.4 assists and 2.6 rebounds per game, while starting four consecutive contests. The Hawks won three of those four games, with Flemings contributing through his increased playing time and playmaking.
Rounding out the top 10 is the Cleveland Cavaliers' Meleek Thomas, who holds his No. 10 position. The No. 34 overall pick is averaging 13.0 points, 2.6 rebounds and 1.3 assists per game, while shooting 47.8% from three-point range.
Thomas continues to provide outside shooting for Cleveland, going 9-for-18 from beyond the arc across his last three games. His latest outing saw him score 18 points, including four three-pointers, in a loss to Charlotte.
Other NBA Rookies to Watch
Beyond the top 10, several other rookies have delivered noteworthy performances during the opening weeks of the season.
Keaton Wagler of the LA Clippers scored 15 points and recorded four assists in 18 minutes during a win over New Orleans. Oklahoma City's Bennett Stirtz added 16 points and two steals against Cleveland, while Indiana's Braden Smith contributed 10 points, five assists, two steals and two blocks in a victory over Memphis.
Other notable performances included Brayden Burries recording 21 points, 11 rebounds and six assists for Milwaukee, and Charlotte's Hannes Steinbach collecting 11 rebounds and three blocks.
Dallas rookie Morez Johnson Jr. also impressed with 13 points and 17 rebounds in a win over Utah, while Denver's Bryce Hopkins finished with 18 points, four rebounds and two steals against Toronto. The Chicago Bulls' Jaylin Sellers, LA Clippers rookie Baba Miller, Milwaukee's Nate Ament and Atlanta's Zuby Ejiofor also featured among the notable rookie performers.
With the 2026-27 season still in its early stages, Lendeborg currently leads the Rookie Ladder, but Acuff Jr., Boozer and the rest of the class are giving fans plenty of reasons to keep watching.
