Boozer and Lendeborg top early NBA Rookie Ladder rankings

The first NBA Rookie Ladder of the 2026-27 season is out, and two names sit above the rest.

Cameron Boozer of the Memphis Grizzlies holds the No. 1 spot.

Yaxel Lendeborg is right behind him at No. 2.

Boozer, the 19-year-old former Duke star drafted third overall in June, has been the engine behind Memphis's 6-2 start.

The Grizzlies matched the best start in franchise history.

They were also the league's last undefeated team before suffering their first loss.

Boozer is averaging 16.5 points, 9.8 rebounds and 5.4 assists per game.

He leads the Grizzlies in rebounds per game.

He ranks second on the team in points and assists per game.

His free-throw percentage is 94.4 percent.

He shoots 36.4 percent from the field and 36.7 percent from three-point range.

The efficiency numbers are not elite.

But the all-around production is rare for a rookie.

Last week, Boozer became the second-youngest player in NBA history to record a triple-double.

The only teenager younger to do it was LaMelo Ball.

NBA.com ranked Boozer first on the rookie ladder after the first two weeks of the season.

Analysts point to his versatility as the reason for the fast start.

Boozer can play both the power forward and center positions.

At the four, he spaces the floor and keeps the offense flowing.

If teams switch defensively, he goes to the post.

His patience on the catch and ability to get to his spot have created mismatches.

When help defense arrives, he passes out to open shooters.

At the five, he screens, rolls and gets to space quickly.

His short-roll passing has been a key part of Memphis's attack.

His timing and footwork on screens have drawn praise.

He has also mixed in catch-and-shoot three-pointers.

His drives have been aggressive.

Some of his finishing skills are still developing.

The Grizzlies selected Boozer with the third overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft.

He played one season at Duke.

At Duke, he won the AP Player of the Year Award.

He averaged 22.5 points, 10.2 rebounds, 4.1 assists and 1.4 steals per game.

He shot 55.6 percent from the floor and 39.1 percent from three.

He led the Blue Devils to a 35-3 record.

Duke reached the NCAA Tournament Regional Final.

The Blue Devils lost to the UConn Huskies.

The Rookie Ladder is an early-season ranking published by NBA.com.

It tracks how first-year players are performing.

The first edition of the season came out roughly two weeks into the regular schedule.

Yaxel Lendeborg, the No. 2 pick in the draft, has also impressed.

The Yahoo Sports report lists Lendeborg as the second-ranked rookie.

Detailed statistics for Lendeborg were not included in the available source material.

Boozer's start has put him in early Rookie of the Year conversations.

If he wins the award, he would be the second straight former Duke player to do so.

Cooper Flagg won Rookie of the Year in the 2025-26 season.

Flagg averaged 21 points, 6.7 rebounds, 4.5 assists and 1.2 steals per game.

He shot 46.8 percent from the field and 29.5 percent from three.

Flagg beat out another former Duke star, Kon Knueppel, for the award.

Other former Duke players who have won Rookie of the Year include Paolo Banchero, Kyrie Irving, Elton Brand and Grant Hill.

Boozer's playmaking has been described as an underrated part of his game.

His passing has helped Memphis generate open looks.

Not every game has been smooth.

In a 107-103 loss to the Indiana Pacers on Wednesday, Boozer finished with 10 points.

He shot 4 of 14 from the field and 2 of 5 from three.

He grabbed six rebounds, recorded four assists and had one steal.

He committed four turnovers.

The lack of efficient scoring limited his impact in that game.

Through eight games, he is shooting 36.4 percent from the field.

His three-point percentage sits at 36.7 percent.

Analysts say the best thing a rookie can do is show one reliable skill every night.

Boozer has shown multiple skills.

His rebounding and playmaking have been consistent.

His scoring efficiency is the area most likely to improve as the season progresses.

The Grizzlies are among the top teams in the Western Conference early in the season.

Memphis has built its offense around Boozer's versatility.

His ability to play both frontcourt positions gives the coaching staff lineup flexibility.

The rookie ladder will update as the season continues.

Boozer will need to maintain his production and improve his shooting to hold the top spot.

Lendeborg and other rookies will push for higher rankings.

The 2026 draft class is being described as unusually deep.

Many rookies are being asked to contribute immediately on their teams.

That has made the early rookie ladder more competitive than in some recent years.