Top 10 Fantasy Basketball Rookies: Cameron Boozer, Caleb Wilson Lead The Way For 2026-27

The 2026 NBA Draft Class is one of the most talented in recent memory, so how should managers treat the best of the best in their fantasy drafts?

Here are the Top-10 fantasy rookies for the 2026-27 fantasy basketball season.

1. Cameron Boozer (F - MEM)

Boozer earned AP Player of the Year honors behind averages of 22.5 points, 10.2 rebounds, 4.1 assists, 2.0 “stocks” and 1.4 triples as he led Duke to a 35-3 record. His elite collegiate performance landed him at No. 3 in the NBA Draft behind AJ Dybantsa and Darryn Peterson.

Boozer was phenomenal in Summer League play, posting 18 points, 7.4 rebounds, 3.8 assists and 1.8 “stocks” per game as the Grizzlies lost a tight contest to the Warriors in the Summer League Final.

Of all the picks in this year’s draft, Boozer could see the highest usage, joining a Grizzlies team in desperate need of frontcourt help. Memphis has struggled to stay healthy at forward and center in recent seasons, and Boozer should see big minutes as a Day 1 starter. Thanks to his ability to rack up counting stats and shoot efficiently from the floor, Boozer projects as a multi-category contributor with mid-round fantasy value.

2. Caleb Wilson (F - CHI)

Wilson earned All-ACC first team and All-American second team honors with UNC last season, but a broken thumb in March cut his season short before the NCAA Tournament tipped off.

Wilson was a dominant force in Summer League with averages of 21.8 points, 7.3 rebounds, 1.3 steals, 2.5 blocks and 3.3 triples per game. Lack of a long-range game was a major concern for Wilson coming out of college, but his shooting in Summer League allayed those concerns.

At 6’10 with a seven-foot wingspan, Wilson has the length to be a disruptor on defense, and his elite athleticism gives him upside as a paint protector who can rack up blocks and boards. The Bulls are still working through their rebuild in the post DeRozan-LaVine-Vucevic era, but they’re getting close to having the starting five of the future with Matas Buzelis, Josh Giddey and Nic Claxton.

Wilson is the highest-upside player on the roster, and he should be featured as a two-way menace right out of the gate. He’s co-favored to win the ROY with Cameron Boozer, and Wilson has major appeal as a Top-100 fantasy option with upside.

3. Darryn Peterson (F - UTA)

Peterson may be the best pure scorer in the draft, and he’ll get an immediate opportunity to contribute. Utah has dealt with numerous injuries in recent seasons, and the team has perennially been in the lottery since the Donovan Mitchell-Rudy Gobert era ended.

Utah’s poor records don’t reflect the talent on the team. Heading into the 2026-27 season, the Jazz sport a projected starting five of Keyonte George, Jaren Jackson Jr., Lauri Markkanen, Jusuf Nurkic and Peterson. Markkanen is a capable scorer, but Utah lacks a true “go-and-get-a-bucket” guy who can take over a game when needed. That’s where Peterson comes in. If not for the loaded roster around him, he would be higher on this list, but Peterson has the upside to end up as fantasy’s top rookie.

4. Keaton Wagler (G - LAC)

Everything finally blew up for the Clippers last season as the team dealt James Harden for Darius Garland and swapped Kawhi Leonard for Brandon Ingram and Gradey Dick. Ingram is dealing with a partial Achilles tear, and he won’t be available for the season-opener. It’s unclear when BI will return, but his absence creates a major void for an already-thin roster.

Wagler flashed a ton of upside at Illinois last season, showcasing his ability to score, rebound, facilitate, defend and hit triples. He’s got a high basketball IQ, and his size (6’6) gives him an advantage over others at his position. Wagler’s got a phenomenal mix of talent and opportunity that give him a Top-4 floor, and it wouldn’t be surprising if he finished higher by the end of the season.

5. Yaxel Lendeborg (F - GSW)

Reliable frontcourt production is something the Warriors have lacked for years, and it will be more of the same for Golden State heading into the 2026-27 campaign. Jimmy Butler still isn’t ready to return from a torn right ACL suffered in January, and Kristaps Porzingis is out indefinitely due to an undisclosed health issue.

Longtime veterans Draymond Green and Al Horford are the next two guys up, but Horford is unlikely to play back-to-backs, and Green is far past his prime. Lendeborg was named Summer League MVP after leading the Dubs to the title and averaging 14.9 points, 6.7 rebounds, 4.0 assists and 2.3 “stocks.”

Lendeborg has a clear path to immediate playing time, and his stat-stuffing abilities make him a rookie with tremendous upside.

6. Darius Acuff Jr. (G - SAC)

Darius Acuff Jr. is an elite scorer and facilitator who should get the keys to Sacramento’s offense from Day 1. Viewed as a franchise cornerstone and highly touted by Kings’ leadership, Acuff Jr. joins a team that finished with the NBA’s fourth-worst record a season ago.

DeMar DeRozan is now with the Nuggets, and Sacramento is reportedly shopping Domantas Sabonis and Zach LaVine, two veterans with monster contracts. Even if the pair remain with Sacramento through the season, Acuff Jr. should see ample playing time.

7. AJ Dybantsa (F - WAS)

The No.1 pick in the draft doesn’t come in at No. 1 in my rookie rankings because there are simply too many mouths to feed in the nation’s capital. Assuming he’s a Day 1 starter, Dybantsa will have to contend with Trae Young and Anthony Davis in the first unit, and productive options like Bilal Coulibaly, Khris Middleton and Kyshawn George will all be vying for minutes.

Dybantsa is a multi-level scoring threat who can rebound and defend effectively, however, so he’ll see enough court time to be an end-of-bench guy in standard leagues.

8. Morez Johnson Jr. (F - DAL)

New head coach Dusty May gets Johnson Jr. back after coaching him at Michigan a season ago, and he’s already talked about him joining the rotation as a rookie. Dallas’ frontcourt has been one of the most injury-plagued units over the last two seasons, and Johnson Jr. can fill a clear need. Johnson Jr.’s status is worth monitoring, as he’s dealing with lower-leg soreness, but the issue doesn’t appear to be serious.

9. Hannes Steinbach (C - CHO)

Steinbach averaged 18.5 points, 11.8 rebounds, 1.6 assists, 1.1 steals, 1.2 blocks and 0.6 three-pointers in his lone season with Washington. He led D-1 in rebound average and earned All-Big Ten team honors. The big man was selected 14th overall, and he’ll immediately compete with Moussa Diabate and Ryan Kalkbrenner to be the Hornets’ starting center, though he may see some run at PF.

Naz Reid will see plenty of run in the frontcourt too, but Steinbach’s draft capital and versatility as a four or five suggests he’ll see meaningful minutes right away. Even if he starts, Steinbach’s upside is capped in this crowded rotation, but he should see enough work to finish as a Top-10 rookie.

10. Kingston Flemings (G - ATL)

The Hawks kicked off the post-Trae Young era last season when they dealt the superstar guard to Washington for CJ McCollum. Atlanta exceeded expectations and made the playoffs thanks to strong contributions from McCollum, Nickeil Alexander-Walker, Jalen Johnson and Dyson Daniels.

Flemings joins an already-established backcourt, but McCollum and Alexander-Walker are score-first guys, and the rookie can earn playing time through his playmaking abilities as the true PG that Atlanta needs.

Three More

Cameron Carr (G/F - LAL)

Carr was a standout in Summer League, averaging 17.4 ppg. The 24th pick out of Baylor is 6’5 with a seven-foot wingspan, and he can offer immediate 3-and-D production as a disruptor and floor-spacer. He’s gotten praise from JJ Redick and Rob Pelinka, and Carr has a chance to carve out a meaningful role for a new-look Lakers team in the post-LeBron era.

LaBaron Philon Jr. (G - PHI)

Philon Jr. has been turning heads at training camp, and he could play a key role off the bench for Philadelphia. The Sixers’ starting five is one of the best in the Association, but the team could opt to go lighter on minutes and heavier on rest days for LeBron James or Joel Embiid to make sure they’re healthy for the postseason. Philon Jr. is worth a late-round flier in deep leagues.

Aday Mara (C - OKC)

The 7’3 big man from Michigan will compete with Jaylin Williams for backup center minutes behind Isaiah Hartenstein and Chet Holmgren. Given Hartenstein’s and Holmgren’s injury histories, it wouldn’t be surprising if Mara started multiple games and logged serviceable minutes off the bench.