The NBA’s preseason is underway, and the league’s newest faces are in action. The 2026 NBA Draft was loaded with talent, and the top picks are continuing to display their talents. They are taking advantage of this moment, and a strong start in the preseason could carry over into the regular season.
This year’s draft class is ready to show what it is made of, and in the end, some of these stars will be in the running for Rookie of the Year. With that said, here are five rookies to keep an eye on throughout the season.
1.) AJ Dybantsa
AJ Dybantsa was the first pick of this year’s draft, and he will play alongside veterans like Anthony Davis and Trae Young. Dybantsa attended BYU, and during that time, he averaged 25.5 points, 6.8 rebounds and 3.7 assists. The No. 1 pick has turned heads during the season, as his recent back-to-back dunks against the Brooklyn Nets went viral.
Dybantsa has played well during the preseason, and in the loss to Brooklyn, he had 14 points, four rebounds and three assists. The young star has a good shot at winning Rookie of the Year, and if that happens, he will join No. 1 picks such as LeBron James, Kyrie Irving, Paolo Banchero and Victor Wembanyama.
2.) Cameron Boozer
Cameron Boozer was the third pick of this year’s draft, and he had a standout season at Duke. He averaged 22.5 points, 10.2 rebounds and 4.1 assists. Boozer will play a role in the Memphis Grizzlies’ rebuild, and he can make an impact right away.
The Grizzlies traded their star, Ja Morant, this summer, and before that, they traded 2023 Defensive Player of the Year Jaren Jackson Jr. Memphis needs young talent, and Boozer fills that void.
This will be a challenging season for the Grizzlies, but having a player like Boozer is a step in the right direction.
3.) Darryn Peterson
Darryn Peterson was drafted behind Dybantsa, and he went to the Utah Jazz. The Jazz are another rebuilding team, and they are trying to find the right pieces. They drafted Ace Bailey in 2025, and they picked Cody Williams the year before that. Peterson is a solid addition, and he will be a part of Utah’s core going forward.
