The 25th Rookie Preseason: All the top three picks shine, Young is on a roller coaster, and the second round pick is also exciting

As the preseason closes, the new season is getting closer. This year's rookies tried their best to prove themselves in the preseason. Some were successful while others were disappointed. Next, let us take stock of the performance of this year's rookies in the preseason!

No. 1 pick - Cooper Flagg (Mavericks)

Flagg has shown talent as the top pick on both offense and defense. In this year's preseason, opponent players made a total of 8 of 37 shots under Flagg's defense, with a shooting percentage of 21.6%.

In 4 preseason games, Flagg averaged 21.7 minutes per game, scoring 11.3 points, 4.5 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 1.3 steals, and 0.8 blocks, with a shooting percentage of 39.5%.

Second place - Dylan Harper (Spurs)

Harper had some ups and downs in the three preseason games, but his mature style of play and excellent finishing ability still allowed the Spurs to see the potential of Dima's connection.

Harper averaged 19.7 minutes per game, scored 8.7 points, 0.7 rebounds, 4.7 assists and 1 steal, and shot 45.8% from the field.

Third pick - Edgcomb (76ers)

VJ is expected to compete for the strongest attacker this year. He averaged 16.7 points, 4.7 rebounds, 3.7 assists and 2 steals in 29.4 minutes per game in 3 preseason games, and his shooting percentage was 42.5%.

No. 4 pick - Knipel (Hornets)

As Flagg's teammate, Knipel also performed well in the preseason. He played in 5 preseason games, scoring 11.8 points, 3.4 rebounds, 2.6 assists and 0.6 steals in 23.8 minutes per game, while shooting 40.7% from the field.

No. 5 pick - Ace Bailey (Jazz)

Although Bailey made a lot of mistakes before the draft, after firing his agent, he seems to have focused on the basketball court. His outstanding dynamic and static talents make him have a strong presence on the court.

Bailey played in 3 preseason games, averaging 16 points, 4, 7 rebounds, 1.3 assists and 1.7 steals in 26.8 minutes per game, with a shooting percentage of 58.8%.

No. 6 pick - Trey Johnson (Wizards)

Trey Johnson played in 3 preseason games, averaging 6.7 points, 4, 3 rebounds and 2 assists in 20 minutes per game, and shooting 33.3% from the field.

No. 7 pick - Jeremiah Fells (Pelicans)

Fells played in 4 preseason games, averaging 13.8 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists and 0.5 steals in 22.6 minutes per game, shooting 40.4% from the field.

No. 8 pick - Yegor Jemin (Nets)

Jemin played only 1 preseason game, scoring 14 points, 5 rebounds, 1 assist and 1 block in 18.7 minutes, shooting 60% from the field.

No. 9 pick - Colin Murray-Boyles (Raptors)

The person fighting for the ball on the right side of the picture is Boyles

Boyles played in 3 preseason games, averaging 6.7 points, 3.7 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 0.7 blocks in 15.8 minutes per game, with a shooting percentage of 44.4%.

No. 10 pick - Kaman Maluachi (Suns)

"Yang Hansen's good friend" had some ups and downs in the preseason, but the drama of "rubbing Ayton" made him shine.

In 4 preseason games, he averaged 9.5 points, 5.3 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal, and 0.5 blocks in 18.1 minutes per game, with a shooting percentage of 68.2%.

No. 11 pick - Cedric Coward (Grizzlies)

Cedric Coward played in 5 preseason games, averaging 10 points, 3.8 rebounds, 1.6 assists and 1.4 steals in 22.7 minutes per game, shooting 31.1% from the field.

No. 12 pick - Noah Esanger (Bulls)

Noah Esanger played in 5 preseason games, averaging 3.8 points, 1.8 rebounds, 1 assist, and 0.6 steals in 13.8 minutes per game, with a shooting percentage of 33.3%.

No. 13 Pick - Derrick Quinn (Pelicans)

Quinn suffered a torn scapholunate ligament in his left wrist in the Summer League and underwent repair surgery. He did not appear in the preseason. Quinn's matchup with Yang Hansen in Summer League was impressive. He averaged 14.0 points, 11.0 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 1.0 blocks per game in Summer League, shooting 43.8% from the field, 50.0% from three-point range, and 72.2% from free throws.

No. 14 pick - Carter Bryant (Spurs)

This rookie with a very superstar name played in 5 games in the preseason, averaging 8.8 points, 3.2 rebounds, 1.6 assists and 0.6 steals in 19.8 minutes per game, with a shooting percentage of 38.9%.

No. 15 pick - Thomas Sauber (Thunder)

Sauber suffered a serious injury to the anterior cruciate ligament of his right knee, and his 2025-25 season was also reimbursed.

No. 16 Yang Hansen (Trail Blazers)

As the "hope of the whole village", Xiao Yang endured tremendous pressure, and his performance was like a roller coaster. In the first game against the Warriors, he scored 4 points and 4 rebounds but committed 6 fouls; In the King War, he played his masterpiece against Savoy, making 5 of 5 in the third quarter and contributing 16 points, 4 rebounds and 3 blocks. In the third game, Xiao Yang scored 9 points, 6 rebounds and 1 block. In the final game against the long-man Jazz, he only scored 3 points and did not grab any rebounds. Finally, he fouled out again and left the game.

In 4 preseason games, Yang Hansen averaged 18.3 minutes per game, 8 points, 3.5 rebounds, 1 assist, 1.3 blocks, and a shooting percentage of 46.2%..

No. 18 pick - Walter Clayton Jr. (Jazz)

Clayton played in 4 preseason games, averaging 10.8 points, 3.5 rebounds, 5 assists, and 1.3 steals in 25.5 minutes per game, with a shooting percentage of 34.2%.

No. 24 pick - Nick Clifford (Kings)

Clifford played in 4 preseason games, averaging 14.3 points, 3.5 rebounds, 4.5 assists and 1.3 steals in 25.6 minutes per game, with a shooting percentage of 48.8%.

No. 34 pick - Kalkbrenner (Hornets)

Kalkbrenner played in 5 preseason games, averaging 19 minutes per game, averaging 9.2 points, 6.4 rebounds, 0.8 assists and 0.8 blocks, shooting 77.8% from the field. He once scored 14 points on 7-for-7 against the Mavericks.

No. 56 pick - Will Richard (Warriors)

Richard was heavily used in the preseason and started many games. He played in 5 preseason games, averaging 22.3 minutes per game, scoring 8.6 points, 3 rebounds, 1.8 assists and 1.4 steals, and shooting 36.8% from the field.