The NBA Draft took place in late June, bringing another wave of young, hungry, and competitive talent eager to make an immediate impact. The 2026 class was regarded as one of the strongest in recent memory, highlighted by elite freshman guards AJ Dybantsa and Darryn Peterson. The two battled for the No. 1 overall pick, with Dybantsa ultimately edging Peterson in a tight showdown.
The previous draft class didn't disappoint either, as last year's rookies produced an epic Rookie of the Year battle. What initially seemed like a one-man show turned into a neck-and-neck race between the first overall pick, Cooper Flagg, and his former Duke teammate, Kon Knueppel. Flagg ultimately held off Knueppel to claim the award after an offensive surge late in the regular season.
Flagg is already a phenom, while Knueppel shattered multiple three-point records and emerged as one of the best shooters in the league. There's little doubt both will continue to shine, but they aren't the only sophomores poised for a breakout. Here are the second-year players ready to make the leap and establish themselves as future NBA stars.
Egor Demin, Brooklyn Nets
The Brooklyn Nets won just eight games last season and struggled. But the rebuild is underway, and Brooklyn’s three first-round picks from the 2025 class have a year of playing under their belt and should be ready for the next step to elevate the franchise. Demin produced a solid rookie campaign, averaging 10.3 points, 3.2 rebounds, and 3.3 assists per game while shooting 38.5% from downtown.
The Russian native is just 20 years old but has already impressed fans, coaches, and experts this summer. He was dominant in the Summer League – he scored at least 20 points in each of his three games. When he first stepped into the arena, there was no doubt he spent his offseason improving, as he looks stronger and fitter than he did in his rookie season.
“The lifting room was probably the biggest offseason priority,” Demin said. “Gaining some weight, making sure I’m good with my nutrition and all of it. Doing as much as I can on the court also, being dialled in with that.”
Now physically stronger, Demin is ready to take on more responsibility and become Brooklyn’s cornerstone. He has formed a dynamic duo with rookie Mikel Brown Jr., giving the Nets a prospective backcourt.
Derik Queen, New Orleans Pelicans
Last year, the Pelicans’ front office faced immense criticism for trading their 2026 unprotected first-round pick to move up in the 2025 draft and secure a lottery pick. The Ringer’s Bill Simmons even called the decision “one of the five dumbest trades of this decade.”
After selecting Jeremiah Fears at No. 7, New Orleans then took centre Queen at No. 13. Fast-forward one NBA season, and the naysayers have gone silent. Queen appeared in 81 games with 48 starts and averaged 11.7 points, 7.1 rebounds, 3.7 assists, a steal and nearly a block per game. The former Maryland standout repaid the franchise's faith and continues to trend upward.
For a big, Queen has a tremendous passing ability, and he’s efficient on offence. He is everything a team needs in a modern, agile big – he’s got a soft touch around the rim, can hit from three, handles the ball well and defends. He and Fears have the tools to push the Pelicans towards a playoff spot.
Ace Bailey, Utah Jazz
Bailey stirred plenty of controversy last June when his management reportedly instructed him to skip interviews and workouts with most teams during the pre-draft festivities. According to his representative, Bailey wanted to land with the Washington Wizards, who held the sixth pick. But the Utah Jazz took the rising guard at No. 5, sparking questions about whether he would even report.
What first looked like a messy situation quickly settled as the draftee out of Rutgers reported without any problems and competed in the Summer League. Then, he fought for a starting spot and succeeded – Bailey started 61 out of 72 games and posted 13.8 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 1.8 assists.
Utah finished last in the Western Conference and awaits a breakthrough as the organisation has been rebuilding for a couple of years now. Following the drama surrounding the draft, Bailey parted ways with his management in September and has shown nothing but tremendous commitment to the Jazz along with dedication, focus, and competitiveness.
With the No. 2 draft pick in Peterson joining the team this year, the Jazz look to get out of the bottom.
Dylan Harper, San Antonio Spurs
Harper spent the majority of his inaugural campaign coming off the bench, playing behind De’Aaron Fox and Stephon Castle. But that didn’t prevent him from making an impact and contributing to the Spurs’ championship series run. It was the NBA Finals that pushed the best out of him, making him unstoppable in the pursuit of the title.
Despite falling short, the future in San Antonio shines bright. Harper tallied 11.8 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 3.9 assists per contest in the regular season, but raised his numbers to 14.1 points and 5.6 rebounds in the playoffs. The postseason helped unveil his true potential, and it’s only a matter of time before the guard sneaks into the starting lineup.
The 6-foot-5 young star attacks the rim fearlessly, embraces contact, gets to the free-throw line, and has developed into a legitimate threat from beyond the arc. Even if Harper remains in his reserve role, he would be an early Sixth Man of the Year candidate. As San Antonio's young core continues to develop, Harper might be the most exciting player to watch on that team, alongside Wemby, of course.
Tre Johnson, Washington Wizards
When the Washington Wizards selected Johnson with the sixth overall pick, the roster looked completely different than it does today. During the season, the franchise traded for Trae Young and Anthony Davis before landing AJ Dybantsa with the first overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft. Despite the major roster overhaul, Johnson has little reason to worry - he posted 12.2 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 2.0 assists per game as a rookie and has a chance to claim a spot among the superstars who recently joined the team.
Johnson had a terrific stint in the Summer League and showcased that there is no reason to panic about his role. There is a possibility he will come off the bench this year, but that doesn’t mean he will have less impact. If the Wizards want to escape the bottom of the Eastern Conference, they will need contributions from every player receiving significant minutes - including Johnson. Last season, the former Texas standout shot 35.8% from downtown and 87.4% from the free-throw line, showing his efficiency.