Making the jump from high school to college basketball is an adjustment, just as it is going from college to NBA Summer League.

But nothing compares to playing against the world’s best players in a regular-season game. The talent, intensity, mentality and execution necessary are learning curves that require time.

No rookie is perfect from Day One. Yet, we’re not going to make long-term conclusions about suspect shooting or other struggles one week into a player’s NBA career.

Plus, there have been some standout performances from the 2026 NBA Draft class, led by Memphis Grizzlies forward Cameron Boozer, Golden State Warriors forward Yaxel Lendeborg and Chicago Bulls forward Caleb Wilson.

Of note: No. 1 overall pick AJ Dybantsa of the Washington Wizards has yet to play because of a sprained left ankle.

Here is the Kia Rookie Ladder:

1. Cameron Boozer, Memphis Grizzlies

Season stats: 14.8 PPG, 10.5 RPG, 4.8 APG
Draft pick: No. 3

The Grizzlies are 4-0, and Boozer is a plus-36 over that stretch. Boozer, 19, became the third-youngest player in NBA history to register at least 25 points, 10 rebounds and five assists when he had 25 points, 13 rebounds and six assists in a victory against Golden State. He joins LeBron James and Cooper Flagg.

Cameron Boozer ERUPTED in tonight's @memgrizz win!

🐻 25 PTS
🐻 13 REB
🐻 6 AST
🐻 2 STL
🐻 4 3PM

He is the third-youngest player (19 years, 97 days) in NBA history to record 25/10/5, behind only Cooper Flagg and LeBron James. pic.twitter.com/VmAYXi9MVh

— NBA (@NBA) October 24, 2026

2. Yaxel Lendeborg, Golden State Warriors

Season stats: 21.8 PPG, 9.3 RPG, 4.8 APG
Draft pick: No. 11

Lendeborg is one of three rookies to score at least 30 points, dropping 31 points with 12 rebounds and six assists in Golden State’s victory against Denver. He leads all rookies in scoring at 21.8 points per game.

Yaxel WENT OFF in Golden State's win 🔥

31 PTS (career-high)
12 REB (game-high)
6 AST

He becomes the first @warriors rookie since Steph Curry (2/10/2010) to record 30+ PTS, 10+ REB, and 5+ AST in a single game! pic.twitter.com/FYe42bFtD8

— NBA (@NBA) October 27, 2026

3. Caleb Wilson, Chicago Bulls

Season stats: 21.0 PPG, 7.3 RPG, 1.8 APG, 1.8 SPG
Draft pick: No. 4

One of three rookies who have scored at least 30 points in a game, Wilson is also one of three first-year players averaging at least 20 points. He posted 30 points, 14 rebounds, three assists, two steals and one block in Chicago’s loss to Washington.

Caleb Wilson's first career 30-piece & double-double.

30 points | 10-24 FG | 14 rebounds pic.twitter.com/FPE8wWy9Qr

— Chicago Bulls (@chicagobulls) October 25, 2026

4. Darius Acuff Jr., Sacramento Kings

Season stats: 21.5 PPG, 2.8 RPG, 4.8 APG
Draft pick: No. 7

Acuff scored a 2026-27 rookie-high 33 points (also the most by a teen in franchise history) in Sacramento’s loss to Portland and ranks second among rookies in scoring at 21.5 points per game. He’s not shy about shooting at 23.3 field goal attempts per game, which is second among all players – just behind Minnesota’s Anthony Edwards.

33 POINTS FOR DARIUS ACUFF JR. TONIGHT 🔥

The No. 7 overall pick sets the @SacramentoKings single-game scoring record for a teenager and becomes the first NBA rookie to score 30+ this season! pic.twitter.com/IxMgcbQ4oa

— NBA (@NBA) October 24, 2026

5. Keaton Wagler, LA Clippers

Season stats: 13.0 PPG, 4.3 RPG, 4.0 APG
Draft pick: No. 5

Wagler averages 13 points, 4.3 rebounds, 4.0 assists and shoots 40% on 3-pointers through three games. He’s getting consistent minutes, the Clippers are letting him play and he’s getting to the free throw line 6.3 times per game and converting at 89.5%.

🗣️ LET'S GO, ROOK‼️

Keaton Wagler from deep for three 🎯 pic.twitter.com/VtGeTR1Nm1

— LA Clippers (@LAClippers) October 26, 2026

6. Darryn Peterson, Utah Jazz

Season stats: 11.5 PPG, 4.3 RPG, 2.5 APG
Draft pick: No. 2

Peterson, who is averaging 11.5 points and 4.3 rebounds, found rhythm with his 3-point shot in his most recent game against Memphis, making 3-for-5 and finishing with 14 points, seven rebounds and four assists.

7. Aday Mara, Oklahoma City Thunder

Season stats: 5.5 PPG, 4.5 RPG, 1.0 APG
Draft pick: No. 12

The 7-foot-3 Mara had his first double-double in the Thunder’s victory against Phoenix: 11 points on 4-for-6 shooting and 10 rebounds, along with two assists and two blocks in nearly 20 minutes. He was a plus-14 in that game and a plus-nine in Oklahoma City’s season-opening victory against San Antonio. He is shooting 56.3% from the field.

8. Trevon Brazile, Denver Nuggets

Season stats: 9.0 PPG, 7.3 RPG
Draft pick: No. 35

Brazile, the No. 35 pick in the second round, is third among rookies in rebounds per game (7.3), and his per-36-minute averages are strong: 15.4 points, 12.5 rebounds and 1.1 blocks. His playing time may fluctuate, but he has had a game with 12 rebounds and one with 17 points, nine rebounds and two blocks.

9. Brayden Burries, Milwaukee Bucks

Season stats: 7.3 PPG, 3.3 RPG, 1.5 APG
Draft pick: No. 10

Burries has two double-digit scoring games on his stat sheet (12 against Washington in the season opener) and has shown he can become a strong rebounding guard and draw fouls.

10. Mikel Brown Jr., Brooklyn Nets

Season stats: 10.3 PPG, 3.3 RPG, 4.3 APG
Draft pick: No. 6

Right now, the Nets have slotted Brown into a reserve role at 22 minutes per game and he has produced as a distributor – 6.9 assists per 36 minutes. He had 17 points, five rebounds, five assists and a clutch 3-pointer to force overtime in Brooklyn’s loss to Boston on Tuesday.

Other Rookies To Note:

Kingston Flemings, Atlanta Hawks: He is averaging 4.3 assists, with eight coming in a victory against Charlotte.

Graham Ike, Golden State Warriors: The undrafted center is averaging 8.3 points and shooting 50%.

Allen Graves, Toronto Raptors: He is shooting 61.5% from the field and averaging 4.3 rebounds and is in the rotation on a playoff-caliber team.

Sergio de Larrea, Dallas Mavericks: The 25th overall pick had 21 points (9-for-15 shooting), five rebounds and four assists in a loss to San Antonio.

Meleek Thomas, Cleveland Cavaliers: Another second-round pick, Thomas had 16 points (4-for-5 on 3s) in a victory against Minnesota.

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