Boozer and Lendeborg top the NBA’s rookie ladder early.

The NBA season is only a little over two weeks old.

That is barely enough time for most rookies to find their locker.

But this year's rookie class is different.

Cameron Boozer of the Memphis Grizzlies and Yaxel Lendeborg are sitting at the top of the first official Kia Rookie Ladder rankings.

Boozer holds the No. 1 spot.

Lendeborg holds the No. 2 spot.

The rankings were released by NBA.com in the second edition of the ladder.

Boozer is a 19-year-old forward who played one season at Duke.

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

He won the AP Player of the Year Award at Duke.

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

He shot 55.6 percent from the floor and 39.1 percent from three-point range at Duke.

He led the Blue Devils to a 35-3 record and the NCAA Tournament Regional Final.

Duke lost to the UConn Huskies in that game.

Boozer has carried that production into the NBA.

Through the first eight games of the 2026-27 season, Boozer is averaging 16.5 points, 9.8 rebounds and 5.4 assists per game.

He is shooting 36.4 percent from the field.

He is shooting 36.7 percent from three-point range.

He is shooting 94.4 percent from the free-throw line.

The efficiency numbers are not elite.

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

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

Only one other teenager has done it at a younger age.

That performance helped the Grizzlies stay undefeated longer than any other team in the league.

Memphis matched the best start in franchise history this season.

The Grizzlies are now 6-2 and sitting among the top teams in the Western Conference.

Boozer leads the Grizzlies in rebounds per game.

He is second on the team in points per game.

He is second on the team in assists per game.

His playmaking is considered an underrated part of his game.

He can play both the power forward and center positions.

At the 4, his ability to space the floor and keep the offense flowing allows Memphis to run actions on both sides of the floor.

When teams switch, Boozer goes to the post.

He wins mismatches with patience on his catch and an effort to get to his spot.

If help defense comes, he passes out to open teammates.

That allows Memphis to attack tilted defenses.

When moved to the 5, his ability to screen, roll and quickly get to space opens up the offense.

His short-roll passing is a strength.

His timing and footwork on screens are worth watching.

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

Some of his finishing skills are still developing.

His drives have been aggressive.

Not every game has been perfect.

In a 107-103 loss to the Indiana Pacers on Wednesday, Boozer finished with 10 points on 4-of-14 shooting.

He made 2 of 5 three-point attempts.

He added six rebounds, four assists and one steal in 33 minutes.

He committed four turnovers in that game.

The shooting efficiency was poor.

But he still found ways to produce in other categories.

Through eight games, he is making only 36.4 percent of his shots overall.

That number limits his fantasy basketball value.

But the Grizzlies are winning.

And Boozer is the biggest reason why.

Yaxel Lendeborg is the other name at the top of the rookie ladder.

Lendeborg is a forward who played at UAB in college.

He was selected later in the draft than Boozer.

But his early production has been just as impressive.

The two rookies are the clear leaders in the Rookie of the Year race so far.

Boozer has the early edge based on the ladder rankings.