Our Fantasy Rookie Power Rankings are heating up in a big way with four legit candidates for No.1, all of which lit up the stat sheet over the last week. 

10. Trevon Brazile – Denver Nuggets

Last Week: 9↓ 

The Nuggets have found a legitimate backup in the frontcourt with Brazile. His five seasons of collegiate experience are paying dividends early in the season, able to contribute in the paint. Through six games, he’s seventh in minutes on Denver’s roster (22), averaging 8.3 points, 6.3 rebounds, 0.8 steals and 0.7 blocks. The 35th pick in the 2026 NBA Draft is proving himself to be worthy of serious playing time, having recorded two double-digit scoring performances and one double-digit rebounding game.

9. Aday Mara – Oklahoma City Thunder

Last Week: 8↓ 

With Chet Holmgren injured, the thought was that Mara would see an increased role but that hasn’t happened yet. Mara has played 21 or more minutes just once this season. Mara is currently splitting minutes with Jaylin Williams. Williams is struggling to put up any offense so Mara’s minutes could very well increase soon. Mara has consecutive games with nine rebounds so if his minutes do increase, he could become a nightly double-double threat. 

8. Meleek Thomas – Cleveland Cavaliers 

Last Week: NR↑

Thomas is doing a fantastic job of translating that Summer League hype to the regular season. The 34th overall pick is averaging 14 points, three rebounds and one steal, having appeared in four of Cleveland’s last five contests. In every single game, he has hit double-digit scoring on at least 40% shooting from the field. Monday’s matchup against an elite Thunder squad saw Thomas drop a career-high 17 points, 5 rebounds and 1 steal. If Cavaliers coach Kenny Atkinson continues to trust his second-round selection, Thomas could be a legitimate fantasy option for deeper leagues.

7. Keaton Wagler – Los Angeles Clippers

Last Week: 7

Wagler continues to struggle badly with his shot, shooting just 25.6 percent from the floor in four games this week. The one positive for Wagler is he has a set role in this Clippers rotation. If the losses continue to pile up, the team might be more likely to give Wagler a larger role, even if he continues to struggle. 

6. Darryn Peterson – Utah Jazz

Last Week: 5↓

The start of the season hasn’t been the greatest for Peterson, but he still has a prominent role on a deep Jazz team, and is still putting up good numbers. The second overall pick is averaging 13.4 points, 4.3 rebounds, 3.3 assists and 1.3 steals on 36.3% shooting from the field, but an impressive 37.5% from 3-point range. Utah has plenty of scoring, but Peterson can stand out by continuing to be a threat from beyond the arc. At the very least, the surface-level stats are promising.

5. AJ Dybantsa – Washington Wizards
Last Week: 6↑

Dybantsa made his debut this week and averaged 19 points and 4.7 rebounds in three games. He averaged 30 minutes a game on 13.3 shot attempts. Despite having well established teammates around such as Trae Young and Anthony Davis, Dybantsa was still productive. The University of Texas product should continue to improve as he gets his feet wet.

4. Darius Acuff Jr. – Sacramento Kings
Last Week: 4 

Acuff continues to let it fly, but that only makes him a better option in High Score leagues. Sacramento picked up its first win of the season on Monday, and the seventh overall pick dropped an efficient 25 points, 5 rebounds and 6 assists on 10-for-21 shooting. In fact, Acuff’s last three games have seen him shoot 47% or better from the field. His best performance of the season came on Oct. 29 against the Pelicans, when he dropped a 34-point, 14-assist double-double. Acuff is a bucket-getter, but he’s also a fantastic facilitator.

3. Cameron Boozer – Memphis Grizzlies 
Last Week: 3 

In three games this week, Boozer averaged 21 points, 10 rebounds, 6.7 assists and 52.9 percent from 3 point range. In such a loaded rookie class, that was only enough to maintain his current ranking. Boozer has an established role in what has been a better than expected Grizzlies group and this looks to be his floor on our rankings going forward.

2. Caleb Wilson – Chicago Bulls
Last Week: 1↓ 

Yaxel Lendeborg’s dominance shouldn’t overshadow what Wilson has done, especially over his last three games. He has remained consistent, averaging 21.6 points, 6.7 rebounds, two steals and 1.3 blocks this season. Wilson has had less than 20 points in just two of his seven games played, and multiple steals in four of those seven. The Bulls are letting him work on offense, but that motor is translating to the other end of the floor.

1. Yaxel Lendeborg – Golden State Warriors 

Last Week: 2↑ 

Lendeborg has been battling for No. 1 all season but after a dominant 37 point, 6 assist night on 13-19 shooting in a win over the Clippers, he’s the top choice this week. Lendeborg is averaging 21.5 points, 7 rebounds, 3.9 assists on a strong 50 percent from the floor this season. He’s going to need to continue this kind of production if he wants to stay No. 1 going forward but he’s certainly capable of it.