Entering the 2025–26 NBA season, rookie contention goes beyond hometown heroes and local legends. It’s a high-stakes clash fueled by seasoned European imports and explosive, momentum-driven NCAA standouts.
This year’s class ranks among the most anticipated in recent memory, with both talent pipelines heavily represented across the draft’s upper and middle tiers. Instead of broad generalizations, this article dives into a player-driven, analytical comparison, spotlighting the rookies poised to make an immediate impact as the season approaches.
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The Euro Imports Arriving for 2025–26
This season features a formidable batch of European rookies, with 16 players from 10 different countries selected in the 2025 NBA Draft, the second-highest count in recent memory.
The league’s growing global profile has encouraged NBA teams to take aggressive swings on international prospects who already have professional experience in elite European leagues. Key names include:
- Egor Demin (Brooklyn Nets): At 2.04m (6’8″), Demin left Real Madrid to play for BYU before jumping directly into a NBA backcourt starved for playmaking. He brings advanced size, elite vision, and operated as a primary initiator at the college and European youth levels, though scouts cite consistency and decision-making as development areas.
- Ben Saraf (Brooklyn Nets): The Israeli guard stands out as one of the most dynamic international scorers of his age group, having shredded FIBA youth tournaments and made an immediate mark for Ratiopharm Ulm in Germany. Known for his versatile creation, Saraf faces questions about defensive readiness but possesses a ceiling as a featured perimeter option.
- Noa Essengue (Chicago Bulls): The French forward, at 2.09m (6’10”), established himself in the German BBL as a high-ceiling defender with elite athleticism, rebounding, and slashing ability. Essengue’s frame may need filling out, but his tools and production are already intriguing, with box score lines such as 12.7 points and 6.3 rebounds per game in the BBL.
- Others: Additional Euro imports grabbing headlines include Joan Beringer (Cedevita Olimpija/Slovenia), Hugo González (Real Madrid/Spain), and Maxime Raynaud (Stanford/France), each bringing pro-level experience into NBA training camps.
The NCAA Standouts: Key 2025–26 Rookies
This draft cycle, NCAA products continued to dominate early selections, leveraging tournament resumes and individual stat lines to secure their spots. Noteworthy NCAA rookies entering 2025–26 include:
- Cooper Flagg (Dallas Mavericks, #1 pick): Widely considered a generational forward, Flagg averaged 21.0 points, 10.9 rebounds, and 2.5 blocks per game for Duke as an 18-year-old freshman before taking home the top draft spot. His blend of size, skill, and defensive potential makes him a day-one impact candidate.
- Dylan Harper (San Antonio Spurs, #2): The lead guard from Rutgers reached 19.0 points and 6.5 assists per game, punctuating his campaign with standout March Madness performances. His combination of strength, vision, and on-ball defense was lauded as NBA-ready.
- Khaman Maluach (Duke/South Sudan, Utah Jazz, #8): While technically an NCAA player, Maluach’s path mirrors many international routes—having developed in the NBA Academy Africa before dominating NCAA interior stats (14.6 points, 9.4 rebounds, 2.6 blocks per game). He’s a rim protector in the Rudy Gobert mold.
- Ace Bailey (Utah Jazz, #5): A wing out of the Big Ten’s Rutgers University, Bailey leveraged a mix of shot creation and defensive versatility to steadily climb up draft boards. He’s anticipated to play rotation minutes immediately due to his rapport reading the floor and slashing.
Euro Imports: Pro Readiness and Early NBA Fit
European rookies are known for professional polish and exposure to schemes and roles uncommon in NCAA play. Demin, for example, ran offense as a teenager in Spain’s top flight and spent his collegiate season as a fulcrum for BYU; statistically, his assist rates and shooting splits project well compared to NCAA guards, but he may endure a learning curve defensively. Saraf has drawn attention for his explosive scoring—he averaged over 20 points at the U18 EuroBasket—but his transition defense and physicality at the NBA level remain to be tested.
Noa Essengue is an especially interesting Euro rookie, having already played senior-level minutes for Ratiopharm Ulm in a rigorous, physical German BBL. He regularly stuffed stat sheets with athletic transition runs and high-efficiency scoring. NBA evaluators view his versatility as a hedge against being overwhelmed by the pro game’s speed. Historically, Euro imports require fewer adjustments in zones like spacing and timing, while handling the NBA’s pace and strength takes adaptation.
NCAA Standouts: Volume, Versatility, and Expectations
By contrast, NCAA stars command attention for their production volumes and ability to meet high-pressure moments.
Flagg’s statistical dominance for Duke (21.0 points and 10.9 rebounds per game) exceeds most NCAA forwards of recent vintage; scouts highlighted his high defensive playmaking rate (2.5 steals, 2.5 blocks) and the way he elevated his level during tournament play. Harper’s playmaking prowess and ability to thrive in isolation set him up for complex NBA usage, but improving his three-point shot (32.6% in college) is a priority.
Khaman Maluach’s shot-blocking presence is backed by advanced metrics, including a 9.3% block rate that led the NCAA among high-usage big men. These prospects generally carry higher statistical ceilings through their last amateur season and benefit from adapting already to American athleticism, rules, and physicality.
Comparative Table: Top 2025–26 NBA Rookies
Player | Path | NBA Team | Last Team/League | Stat Highlights |
Cooper Flagg | NCAA | Mavericks | Duke | 21.0 PPG, 10.9 RPG, 2.5 BPG |
Egor Demin | Europe | Nets | BYU (NCAA) / Real Madrid | 2.04m, high AST%, jump shooter |
Dylan Harper | NCAA | Spurs | Rutgers | 19.0 PPG, 6.5 APG6 |
Ben Saraf | Europe | Nets | Ratiopharm Ulm (Germany) | 20+ PPG U18, elite scoring |
Noa Essengue | Europe | Hornets | Ratiopharm Ulm (Germany) | 12.7 PPG, 6.3 RPG (BBL) |
Ace Bailey | NCAA | Jazz | Rutgers | 17.2 PPG, 7.6 RPG |
Khaman Maluach | NCAA* | Jazz | Duke / NBA Africa Acad. | 14.6 PPG, 9.4 RPG, 2.6 BPG |
*Maluach trained internationally but played last year at Duke.
NCAA vs. Euro: Strengths, Setbacks, and No Clear Favorite
This draft class offers no overwhelming favorite pipeline. NCAA rookies, thanks to heavier minutes and larger scoring roles, tend to start strong in Rookie of the Year contention. But teams are increasingly comfortable giving European imports immediate minutes, especially on rebuilding squads with youth movements (e.g., the Nets and Hornets).
Euro products arrive with scheme knowledge, international versatility, and professional habits; NCAA standouts offer higher usage, U.S. athleticism, and season-long stat production. The primary risk for Euro imports lies in physical adaptation and pace; for NCAA players, translating stats from a structured college game to perimeter-heavy, spread-out NBA offenses can cause early volatility.