Hype surrounded the 2026 NBA Draft class, and many top prospects are living up to the noise two weeks into their careers. Some of these names have been known throughout their high school days and college, but the pros is a whole new level of a leap. This isn’t summer league anymore, it’s the real deal. Every rookie goes through a learning curve. There will be highs and there will be lows. These special talents also are bringing exciting levels of optimism for their teams and finding themselves all over highlight reels.
Who has stood out most? And where does Warriors No. 11 pick Yaxel Lendeborg fit in our first edition of Rookie Watch? Let’s take a look.
All stats are current through Nov. 3.5. Darryn Peterson, G, Utah Jazz Stats: 7 G, 13.4 ppg, 4.3 rpg, 3.3 apg, 1.3 spg
The No. 1 pick, AJ Dybantsa, isn’t listed since he only has played three games. Peterson, the No. 2 pick, hasn’t exactly dominated to begin his career. But he’s starting to string together some solid games.
Peterson in his last game had three steals and three blocked shots, and has five straight games with at least one steal...