Kia Rookie Ladder: Cooper Flagg and Derik Queen Climb in Rookie of the Year Race

Rookie Race Update: November 26, 2025

Despite the challenging season for the Pelicans, both Derik Queen and Boogie Fears have emerged as standout performers, offering hope for their franchise’s future. Queen’s consistency and efficient scoring have kept him among the top rookies, while Fears continues to impress with his leadership and poise beyond his years.

Cooper Flagg on the Rise

Cooper Flagg’s dynamic two-way play for the Spurs keeps pushing him higher up the rookie rankings. His combination of energy, defensive awareness, and improving offensive confidence has helped San Antonio stay competitive. Coaches praise his ability to impact games even when his shooting isn’t falling.

“He changes the tone of the game with defense and hustle,” said one Western Conference scout.

Flagg’s developing chemistry with Victor Wembanyama has also been a highlight, giving the Spurs a promising young core.

Derik Queen Shines in New Orleans

While New Orleans struggles in the standings, Derik Queen has been one of the few positives. His rebounding presence and efficient mid-range scoring have drawn comparisons to veteran stretch bigs. He’s averaging double digits in points and showing solid defensive effort, making him an early favorite for All-Rookie honors.

Boogie Fears Steady in Detroit

In Detroit, Boogie Fears exhibits strong court vision and composure under pressure. His playmaking continues to stabilize the young Pistons’ offense, and his ability to attack the rim keeps defenders on edge. His reliability and steady improvement mirror what every rebuilding team hopes for in a first-year guard.

Honorable Mentions

Other rookies making noise this week include:

Reed Sheppard (Thunder), contributing solid minutes and defensive spark.
Baylor Scheierman (Heat), providing energy and shooting off the bench.
Alex Sarr (Trail Blazers), demonstrating progress as a rim protector and rebounder.

Their steady performances suggest this class might be one of the more balanced in recent seasons.

Summary Outlook

As the season deepens, the Rookie of the Year race remains wide open. Cooper Flagg and Derik Queen are gaining momentum, but consistent standouts like Boogie Fears ensure every week brings a fresh shuffle to the ladder.

“This class has no clear runaway — it’s depth and variety making it thrilling,” one analyst observed.

Author’s summary: Cooper Flagg and Derik Queen continue to rise in the 2025 rookie rankings with strong two-way play, while Boogie Fears maintains steady impact for Detroit.

NBA — 2025-11-29