2025 - 26 Best Rookie Dark Horse Forecast: Yang Hansen leads, potential new stars are ready to go

On August 14, Sports Illustrated had a unique vision and selected three dark horses that are expected to hit the Best Rookie Award in the 2025-26 season. Chinese player Yang Hansen was listed, and the other two were Thunder guard Topic and Nets guard Traore. In the competition for the best rookie, although the Mavericks No. 1 pick Flag occupied the top favorite with an odds of -185, Harper followed with +900 and Bailey +950, and VJ - Edcombe, Trey - Johnson and others were also eyeing each other, but the high-ranking rookies were not sure to win, and the stories of dark horses counterattacks occurred from time to time.

Yang Hansen: The potential of the Trail Blazers center is bursting

Among the three dark horse rookies, Yang Hansen may be the most impactful one. His draft journey was full of surprises, and he was selected by the Portland Trail Blazers at the 16th pick, which was much higher than outside expectations. Most people have doubts about whether he can match the mid-season pick in the first round, but the Trail Blazers have unique eyesight, which also won more opportunities for Yang Hansen, and he is very likely to get more playing time than expected.

Yang Hansen is very strong. Although he is relatively slow from the CBA, as a center, he has a great feel for the ball, and has a good feel in the inside score and mid-range shooting, especially his passing ability, which is outstanding among big players. If he can keep up with the pace on the defensive end, it will not be difficult to enter the Trail Blazers' rotation. Moreover, his extremely ornamental game style will undoubtedly add a lot of points to him in the Best Rookie selection. For Yang Hansen, the new season will be an excellent stage for him to prove himself and is expected to stand out among the fiercely competitive rookies.

Topic: The Thunder guard, who is looking forward to being reborn after an injury, was selected by the Thunder with the 12th pick in the first round of the 2024 draft. However, the draft ACL tear made him regretfully miss the Thunder’s championship season. But before being injured, he was regarded as the best in his class and was a typical "technical rookie". Next season, he is eager to regain his peak form and recreate his former style.

The Serbian defender has a deep understanding of the game and can not only break through to the basket and complete the end, but also pass the ball and organize the offense with a stable level. In the summer league, he averaged a Las Vegas Summer League highest 7.3 assists per game, showing an excellent breakthrough instinct. However, he faces the challenge of playing time, and the Thunder's rotation lineup is strong and has multiple options in the substitute point guard position. But as long as he can successfully enter the rotation, with his own strength, Topic is completely possible to perform well and gain a place in the competition for the best rookie.

Traore: Speed Star in the Nets

Nets guard Nolan - Traore is similar to Topic, a speed point guard with the potential to become a high-level scorer and passer. Before playing for San Quentin last season, he was seen as a player with unlimited potential in the same class, but was finally selected with the 19th pick because of his progress not meeting expectations.

Traore also has its own advantages. He has professional competition experience, which gives him the lead among his peers and has also performed well in international competitions. The Brooklyn Nets are likely to be one of the league's poor performances in the new season, which provides Traore with plenty of opportunities to play. Michael Porter, Jr., and Thomas, who is likely to stay in the team, also give him more opportunities to organize the offense. If he can regain his peak form before the draft, Traore should not be underestimated in the competition for the Best Rookie Award.

The three best rookie dark horses selected by Sports Illustrated each have their own advantages and challenges. With his unique strength and opportunity, Yang Hansen is expected to make his mark with the Trail Blazers; Topic is eager to be reborn after injury and fight for opportunities to prove himself in the Thunder; Traore is looking forward to seizing the opportunity with the Nets and regaining potential to realize his talent. In the 2025-26 season, who can become the biggest dark horse and win the Best Rookie Award? Let us wait and see and witness the rise of potential new stars together.