2026 Rookie Class Outperforms Expectations in First Two Weeks

The 2026 NBA Draft class has exceeded early expectations in the first two weeks of the 2026-27 season. CBS Sports evaluated the performance of every lottery pick and found that the group is already outplaying its predecessors. The statistical output suggests this cohort may rival the best in league history.

AJ Dybantsa of the Washington Wizards made his professional debut last week. He missed the first four games due to an ankle injury and played under a minutes restriction. Dybantsa scored 19 points in his first game against the Cleveland Cavaliers. He attempted nine free throws in his first two games, continuing a trend from his college career where he led the nation with 296 free throw attempts at BYU.

Cameron Boozer of the Memphis Grizzlies is the favorite for Rookie of the Year. The Grizzlies are the only undefeated team in the league. Boozer recorded his first career triple-double with 18 points, 12 rebounds, and 12 assists. He followed that performance with a career-high 27 points against Sacramento. Boozer has a 155-17 record across high school, Duke, and the NBA. His rim finishing efficiency stands at 42.4% according to Synergy data.

Darius Acuff Jr. of the Sacramento Kings delivered a standout performance earlier this week. He finished with 34 points and 14 assists against the New Orleans Pelicans. He became the only teenager in NBA history to record at least 30 points and 12 assists in a game, joining LeBron James in that statistical category. Acuff is playing a primary role on a Kings team that may be the worst in the league.

Yaxel Lendeborg of the Golden State Warriors has been the team's second-best player behind Stephen Curry. He scored a career-high 37 points in a win over the Los Angeles Clippers. Lendeborg scored at least 25 points in three consecutive games, including a 31-point, 12-rebound performance against the Denver Nuggets. He is considered a co-favorite for Rookie of the Year alongside Boozer.

Caleb Wilson of the Chicago Bulls is averaging 3.2 steals and blocks per game. He is attempting 7.8 three-point shots per game, a sharp increase from his 27 total attempts last season at North Carolina. His three-point shooting efficiency is currently 29.8%. Wilson has been physically dominant on both ends of the floor, including a block on Jayson Tatum and a dunk over Paul George.

Other lottery picks received mixed grades. AJ Dybantsa earned an A-, while Darryn Peterson of the Utah Jazz received a B. Peterson is fifth in the class in field goal attempts with 78. He played 26 minutes in a loss to the San Antonio Spurs where coach Will Hardy benched him late in the game. Keaton Wagler of the Los Angeles Clippers got a B+ while playing off the bench. He is shooting 31.3% from three and 24% from two.

Mikel Brown Jr. of the Brooklyn Nets received a B. He is on a minutes restriction and has played over 25 minutes only once. In that game, he scored 13 of his 17 points in the fourth quarter. Morez Johnson Jr. of the Dallas Mavericks got a B- while serving as a defensive specialist. Haness Steinbach of the Charlotte Hornets was graded incomplete after playing in just two games during garbage time.

The early grades reflect a class that arrived prepared to compete at the highest level. The players are exceeding the benchmarks set during their college careers. The statistical trends indicate this group will remain at the top of the league for the remainder of the season.