NBA Rookies Go Off on Sunday Night, Best Draft Class in Years?

The 2025 NBA Draft class was one of the more hyped draft classes in years. Obviously, much of that hype surrounded Cooper Flagg, the youngest player in the league and the number one overall pick in this year’s draft. Still, the rest of the rookies from this year’s draft class are also showing up in big ways this season, and Sunday night was a showing that proved it.

Of course, it all starts with Flagg. Flagg got his first NBA win and his first 20-point game on Sunday night when the Dallas Mavericks defeated the Toronto Raptors. He became just the second 18-year-old ever to score 20 points without having a single turnover. Who else did it? Kobe Bryant.

The number two overall pick, Dylan Harper, also showed why this draft class is so revered. He poured in his own 20 points on Sunday, notching eight assists and six rebounds as well. Harper has shown early on that he is far ahead of schedule and may be ready to take over starting point guard duties in San Antonio much earlier than anticipated.

Collin Knueppel, the fourth overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, also had a big game on Sunday night. Knueppel recorded his first 20-point game on Sunday in the Charlotte Hornets’ win over the Washington Wizards. Like Flagg and Harper, he scored his 20 super efficiently, going 7-of-12 from the field.

With three of the top four picks going for an efficient 20 points on Sunday night, and the third overall pick, VJ Edgecombe, averaging over 24 points per game after his first two outings, this rookie class is showing up and showing out. Watch out, because the league may have a new guard of young dudes looking to take over.