NBA official rookie rankings updated: Knupel continues to lead, Flagg ranks third, and Achikum is fifth

On November 20th Beijing time, the NBA official rookie rankings were refreshed. Hornets' 4th overall pick Knupel continues to lead thanks to his excellent play, with Grizzlies' 11th pick Coward holding steady at second place. The third to fifth spots are occupied by Mavericks' number one pick Flagg, Hornets' 34th pick Kalkbrunner, and 76ers' third pick Achikum. The Hornets boast two rookies within the top four. Here are the specific rankings and breakdown—

1. Knupel (Hornets)

Season stats: 17.6 points, 6.0 rebounds, 2.7 assists per game

Previous ranking: 1st

Draft position: 4th overall

Rookies in the NBA often face various challenges. Highly touted rookies are frequently drafted by struggling teams. Many have to endure coaching changes, while others must adapt to new roles, often starting from the bench. Knupel’s case is unique: during the absence of team leaders LaMelo Ball and Brandon Miller due to injury, his rise has reshaped the Hornets’ internal hierarchy. Now that Ball has returned and Miller is expected back soon, it will be interesting to see how this rookie, nicknamed "K2," along with other Hornets newcomers, integrate into Coach Charles Lee’s system (and vice versa). Considering he has only played 14 games yet is already compared with other top players, it speaks volumes about his impact.

2. Coward (Grizzlies)

Season stats: 14.3 points, 6.4 rebounds, 2.9 assists per game

Previous ranking: 2nd

Draft position: 11th overall

Foot soreness, a long road trip, and a 1-9 record after Halloween have posed significant challenges for this Grizzlies rookie. However, in a game against the Spurs where multiple teammates were sidelined by injury, Coward stepped up with 19 points and 11 rebounds, marking his third career double-double with a plus-minus of +3. His home performance (16 points per game, 51.9% shooting) surpasses his road stats (12.4 points per game, 42.9% shooting), which is expected. When Coward plays well, the Grizzlies tend to win (averaging 19 points and 68.4% shooting in wins versus 12.6 points and 40.5% shooting in losses), likely no coincidence. Former Grizzlies wing Parsons recently praised this no-longer-quiet Coward enthusiastically.

3. Flagg (Mavericks)

Season stats: 15.5 points, 6.3 rebounds, 3.1 assists per game

Previous ranking: 3rd

Draft position: 1st overall

Coward’s excellent play keeps Flagg in third place, but he appears to be growing more comfortable each night and showcasing his versatility. This rookie ranks 11th in the league for clutch scoring with 25 points, just one point behind Durant and ahead of stars like Giannis, Jaylen Brown, and Curry. Moreover, on nights when his team wins, he seems to focus more on subtle, impressive moments rather than flashy scoring stats. He won’t turn 19 until December 21st, yet he has already played more games for the Mavericks than Anthony Davis has for his team.

4. Kalkbrunner (Hornets)

Season stats: 9.9 points, 7.1 rebounds, 2.2 blocks per game

Previous ranking: 5th

Draft position: 34th overall

Kalkbrunner’s first four weeks in the NBA mirror his five-year performance at Creighton University. This 2.13m center shot 65.8% in college with 2.4 blocks per game. In the NBA, those figures have improved to 81.2% shooting and 2.2 blocks per game, ranking first and second in the league respectively. As one of the most focused rim protectors, he embraces the physicality and challenges that come with the role without hesitation.

5. Achikum (76ers)

Season stats: 15.5 points, 5.7 rebounds, 4.3 assists per game

Previous ranking: 4th

Draft position: 3rd overall

After quickly making a name for himself in the 76ers’ backcourt, history suggests Achikum might face a downturn. Some attribute his recent decline—from averaging 21.2 points and 49.4% shooting in October to 11.9 points and 34.7% shooting in November—to Coach Nurse’s heavy usage. Undoubtedly, Nurse demands a lot from this 20-year-old Baylor product, but as the 76ers’ roster health improves, Achikum’s minutes have decreased. Nonetheless, he still shows plenty of promise for the future.

Players ranked 6th to 10th are: 6. Fells (Pelicans), 7. Derrick Quinn (Pelicans), 8. Ace Bailey (Jazz), 9. Trey Johnson (Wizards), 10. Colin Murray-Boyce (Raptors).