NBA Rookie of the Year predictions: Early expert picks after 2026 Draft with Cameron Boozer favored
The 2026 NBA Draft is in the books. Sixty selections were made in Brooklyn earlier this week in a draft high on talent and low on surprises. The top of the draft went pretty much as expected: AJ Dybantsa went No. 1 to the Wizards, Darryn Peterson went No. 2 to the Jazz, and Cameron Boozer and Caleb Wilson rounded out the top four, going to the Grizzlies and Bulls, respectively. A run of guards came next in the top 10, and then three players from Michigan's national championship team went later in the lottery.
Now that we know where all the top rookie talent will be playing next season, we have one more piece of forecasting to do. Who will win NBA Rookie of the Year in the 2026-27 season? That seems tougher to predict than the order of this draft.
2026 NBA Draft grades: Analysis on every pick from AJ Dybantsa, Darryn Peterson, Cameron Boozer through No. 60 Adam Finkelstein
Boozer, who will instantly become a go-to player in Memphis, is the favorite. Dybantsa and Peterson will certainly get their chances in Washington and Utah. Darius Acuff Jr., the seventh overall pick by the Kings, also has strong odds.
NBA Rookie of the Year odds
Via FanDuel as of June 25
- Cameron Boozer, Grizzlies: +240
- Darryn Peterson, Jazz: +400
- AJ Dybantsa, Wizards: +400
- Darius Acuff Jr., Kings: +450
- Caleb Wilson, Bulls: +950
- Mikel Brown Jr., Nets: +1500
Below, our CBS Sports experts are making their too-early Rookie of the Year picks and explaining why.
Too-early Rookie of the Year predictions
| Award |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AJ Dybantsa | AJ Dybantsa | Cameron Boozer | Cameron Boozer | AJ Dybantsa | Cameron Boozer | Darius Acuff Jr. | Cameron Boozer |
David Cobb: AJ Dybantsa will reap the benefits of playing for a team that also includes veteran All-Stars Trae Young and Anthony Davis. While it's certainly possible that he won't be Washington's leading scorer as a rookie, he also won't be the focal point of opposing scouting reports. That will help Dybantsa's efficiency and allow him to shine as the complete player that he is. There is a reason Dybantsa went No. 1 overall. His combination of size, athleticism, skill and versatility makes him a great bet for 2027 NBA Rookie of the Year.
Adam Finkelstein: While I think Boozer has the pathway to being the most impactful of these rookies in the shortest period of time, the Rookie of the Year award usually comes down to stats. I expect Dybantsa will lead all rookies in scoring, even though he'll have to share the ball with Trae Young and Anthony Davis (if and when they are healthy). Dybantsa is the most natural scorer in the class. It's what he does best on the basketball floor. I expect there might be an adjustment period, like there was to start the season at BYU, but he's going to put up numbers sooner rather than later. Of course, Young will play a key part in this and we have to assume that there were candid conversations had before Washington signed him to that contract. The pace with which Dybantsa can grow into a star in the NBA is likely going to be correlated to Young's willingness to get off the ball and be content to use his own gravity to create opportunities for his new rookie.
John Gonzalez: This draft class is overloaded with talent, but talent alone doesn't win you ROY. Opportunity and role matter just as much. AJ Dybantsa plays for a Wizards team that has designs (possibly fanciful) on making noise in the playoffs. That situation doesn't seem to lend itself to a rookie being the star of the show and posting outsized numbers. Same with Darryn Peterson, who by all accounts is a bucket but will have to share the backcourt with Keyonte George, not to mention being lower in the pecking order than Jaren Jackson Jr. and Lauri Markkanen on a Jazz team that wants to compete in the West. Compare that to Boozer, who will immediately become the center of attention in Memphis. Whether the Grizzlies find a taker for Ja Morant or not, Boozer is the new face of the franchise. That should come complete with a big usage rate and the attendant supersized counting stats that ROY voters love.
Robby Kalland: I'll join the majority in picking Boozer here. The argument against Boozer among the top 3 in this Draft was that his long-term ceiling wasn't as high as Dybantsa and Peterson. However, right now he's the most NBA-ready to go out and produce at a high level immediately -- and will be given every opportunity to do so. It wouldn't be shocking if he averages 20/10 as a rookie (like he did at Duke) and it's hard to imagine any of the other rookies in this class beating out that production. Rookie of the Year is the award where team success matters the least to voters. We saw this past year with the Cooper Flagg/Kon Kneuppel battle that, ultimately, the guy producing the most wins out over efficiency or contributions to a winner.
Jack Maloney: Is Dybantsa immediately going to be the first option on a team with Trae Young and Anthony Davis? No, but the Wizards didn't draft him No. 1 to have him sit in the corner all night. He's going to get plenty of opportunities to run the show, and playing alongside Young and Davis should make it easier for him when he does. Also, given their respective health histories, it is unfortunately likely that one or both of them will miss some time, which would increase Dybantsa's usage rate. Ultimately, though, I'm picking Dybantsa because I believe he is the best player in this incredible class, and his talent will shine through.
Sam Quinn: The No. 3 overall pick is the most pro-ready prospect in this class, but he's also the one joining the most statistically advantageous situation. AJ Dybantsa is joining a team currently built around two stars who need the ball in Anthony Davis and Trae Young, and Darryn Peterson is joining a team that harbors really playoff ambitions in Utah. There were even some rumors that Peterson hoped to miss the Jazz so as to avoid sharing the ball with their other top young guard, Keyonte George. But Boozer is going to walk into Memphis as the No. 1 option offensively. While young players like Cedric Coward and Zach Edey have shown a lot of promise, Boozer is the unquestioned franchise player for the Grizzlies. This tends to be a statistical award first and foremost, so if Boozer averages 20 points and 10 rebounds, he's going to be very hard to beat in the Rookie of the Year race.
Cameron Salerno: Acuff is walking into a situation with the Kings in which he will likely be handed the keys to the offense almost immediately. That's not the case for almost every rookie picked in the lottery. Acuff was an offensive engine at Arkansas and will be given the opportunity to carve out a similar role in Sacramento. I'm tempted to go chalk and take Cam Boozer for ROY because of how productive he was last season at Duke. He also has a game that will translate immediately to the NBA. Still, Acuff will be given the freedom to run the offense and put up numbers every night. It wouldn't be surprising to see him average 20/5 as a rookie.
2026 NBA Draft winners and losers: Mavericks fail to help Cooper Flagg with low-upside Morez Johnson Jr. pick Jack Maloney
Isaac Trotter: The historical data hints that you have to be a top-three option on your team to win Rookie of the Year. After scanning the updated depth charts, there are only eight qualifiers on paper at this point: Cameron Boozer, Darryn Peterson, AJ Dybantsa, Darius Acuff Jr., Mikel Brown Jr., Brayden Burries, Keaton Wagler or Caleb Wilson.
But context is vital for an award that leans heavily on counting stats. Dybantsa is ceding shots to Trae Young and Anthony Davis. Peterson has to coalesce with Keyonte George, Jaren Jackson Jr. and Lauri Markkanen. Zach LaVine is primed to take far more shots than Darius Acuff Jr. next season. Mikel Brown Jr. is currently slated to play next to Michael Porter Jr. and Julius Randle.
Boozer and Wilson are the only two rookies who look like the potential No. 1 option. Boozer remains the logical choice because his offensive game is ahead of Wilson's at this point. Memphis is going to build its entire offense around Boozer. The inverted pick-and-rolls with the Duke star and gargantuan center Zach Edey will be a sight to behold. With huge minutes and the largest usage rate heading his direction, Boozer is primed to produce.
Add CBS Sports on GoogleBadenoch blasts 'moaning' female Labour MPs over Burnham jobs 'quota'
Kemi Badenoch has told Labour women to earn a job in Andy Burnham's Cabinet instead of demanding they are handed jobs because of their gender.
The Tory leader lashed out today amid reports that female MPs are demanding the de-facto new prime minister introduce a 50:50 gender split 'quota' in his government.
Amid reports that former foreign secretary David Miliband is being lined up to return to the role, possibly with his brother Ed as Chancellor, one female minister also complained that Burnham could not have 'more Milibands than women' in the top posts.
But in a scathing article in the Times today Mrs Badenoch told them to 'stop moaning' and get chosen on merit instead of retreating into 'more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country'.
'There are many, many reasons why you shouldn't have any Milibands in the cabinet,' she said.
'But complaining that the boys haven't given them the right jobs or that the boys are taking all the jobs, just shows that Labour's women still don't get it.'
The idea of quotas was also attacked by Baroness Jacqui Smith, Labour's Skills Minister.
Asked by Times Radio if Mr Burnham should reserve jobs for women, she said: 'No, I think what Andy Burnham should be doing is building the very best team around him to change this country.'
A letter written by the Women's Parliamentary Labour Party has called on Mr Burnham to ensure a 50:50 split between men and women in government jobs
Amid reports that former foreign secretary David Miliband (above, right, in 2010) is being lined up to return to the role, possibly with his brother Ed as Chancellor, one female minister complained that Burnham could not have 'more Milibands than women' in the top posts
But Mrs Badenoch told them to pipe down and get chosen on merit instead of retreating into 'more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country'
A letter written by the Women's Parliamentary Labour Party and seen by the BBC has called on Mr Burnham to ensure a 50:50 split between men and women in government jobs after he succeeds Sir Keir Starmer.
'We are asking you to demonstrate this change from day one and address the toxicity and misogyny within our own party and government,' it said.
Labour has never had a female leader, while the Conservatives have had three, and Mrs Badenoch urged the government to follow its meritocratic example.
'If you run a meritocracy, then you do not have to worry about jobs for the boys,' she wrote.
'Every woman who is a Conservative MP, every woman who has ever won the leadership, has had to fight to get where she is.
'By contrast, Labour women are demanding guarantees from Burnham. But the truth is he doesn't have to give any guarantees.
'If none of Labour's women are prepared to get their hands dirty and challenge him for the leadership, their demands are toothless.'
'In fact, it's quite revealing that the women's parliamentary Labour Party has written to Burnham asking him to commit himself to at least 50 per cent female ministers.
'This has nothing to do with meritocracy. It is yet more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country.'
Venezuela Fury and Noah Price subsidising their life by livestreaming
Venezuela Fury and her husband Noah Price look to be making their own way in the world by raking it in from their lucrative social media accounts.
The influencer daughter of Tyson and Paris Fury, 16, has become an internet sensation after tying the knot with her husband Noah, 19, earlier this year.
Since getting married and moving in together the couple have been earning thousands of pounds a month, livestreaming their life as newlyweds in their static caravan in the East Riding of Yorkshire.
And fans can't get enough of their regular life updates on TikTok and Kick, which have proved to be very profitable for the pair.
They look to be supporting themselves after Noah denied that he was given £5million by Venezuela's family as a wedding gift.
Despite his wife's huge family wealth, an estimated combined £160 million, Noah recently told his Kick followers that he 'pays for everything' for the couple.
Making light of the claims about Venezuela's millionaire financial status, Noah said: 'I actually pay for everything unfortunately. You'd expect the millionaire to pay for it wouldn't you.'
Venezuela Fury and Noah Price are earning thousands livestreaming their caravan life - after her new groom insisted he pays all the bills and denied he had £5m handout from her dad
The influencer daughter of Tyson and Paris Fury , 16, has become an internet sensation after tying the knot with her husband Noah, 19, earlier this year
Venezuela then asked their fans: 'Do you think I am a millionaire?'
Noah joked: 'She isn't a secret millionaire guys', before she broke into song and sang: 'But I live like a millionaire!'
But it seems according to estimated calculations from their social media work, Noah and Venezuela can more than afford to support themselves.
Noah has been livestreaming on platforms such as Kick and TikTok, where viewers can send paid gifts or donations.
He was previously encouraging viewers to send gifts on his honeymoon during livestreams, suggesting this is one revenue stream.
Both Noah and Venezuela have built substantial followings on Instagram and TikTok. They can potentially earn money through sponsored posts, brand collaborations, affiliate links and creator payouts.
Kick allows its creators to take home 95 per cent of the £4.99 subscription cost that fans pay.
Streamers keep 100 per cent of direct tips and donations, minus minor standard payment processing fees.
It is unclear how many subscribers Noah currently has because this information is hidden, but he does have 7,200 followers which is publicly viewable.
An industry insider has suggested Noah is making around £400 per video on TikTok, while Venezuela is likely to make £2,000 due to her following count of 1.3 million.
An industry insider has suggested Noah is making around £400 per video on TikTok, while Venezuela is likely to make £2,000 due to her following count of 1.3 million
In one video on their honeymoon, Noah asked his followers if they'd give them some more gifts now that they were married.
In a TikTok live viewed by 20,000 he said: 'Keep liking our videos people, keep sending gifts.'
After saying thank you to several of his followers he joked they should stick around on the livestream and 'watch Venezuela punch me in the mouth'.
The other half of the honeymooning couple said: 'I am, honestly!'
Noah previously confirmed that the pair don't share their finances after they were asked whether they have a shared bank account.
'She earns her money, I earn mine,' said Noah, as Venezuela joked: 'Yeah, what you gonna do about it.'
Noah went on to debunk the rumour that Tyson gave him £5million when he tied the knot with his daughter as he insisted: 'No Tyson did not give me £5million'.
Meanwhile Venezuela is being eyed up by executives for a fly on the wall TV series.
Noah went on to debunk the rumour that Tyson gave him £5million when he tied the knot with his daughter as he insisted: 'No Tyson did not give me £5million'
Boasting 1.3 million TikTok followers, Venezuela is already entertaining fans with her honest musings and candid moments, from cooking to kitting out her and Noah's static caravan home.
And following the success of the Netflix series At Home With The Furys, it is no wonder bosses are wanting to draw on the Fury popularity.
A TV insider said: 'The couple are not A-list celebrities but everyone has become obsessed with their love story.
'People are genuinely intrigued by them. Whether it’s the fact they have married so young, Venezuela’s famous family or their gypsy lifestyle, they have the ‘X factor'.
'Several TV executives think a proper fly-on-the-wall series following their lives as newlyweds in the gypsy community would be fascinating,' they told The Sun.
It is thought Netflix would be likely to produce the series due to their already established relationship with the Furys.
Venezuela's representatives told The Daily Mail: 'We have many offers on the table regarding Venezuela which we are discussing.'
