Rookie Class Shines in Las Vegas Summer League, Earn Varied Grades

The 2026 NBA rookie class has delivered in Las Vegas, with standout showings from top picks such as Darryn Peterson, AJ Dybantsa, Cameron Boozer and Caleb Wilson. Cavaliers’ Meleek Thomas has led scoring at the event, while Caleb Wilson exploded for 35 points in his Bulls debut. Across all teams, rookies earned grades ranging from A+ to F, highlighting a mix of immediate impact and development needs; some clubs (e.g., Hawks, Cavs, Bulls, Lakers, Wizards) posted high marks, others (Timberwolves, Pelicans) faced tougher starts. Portland had no rookie on a standard or two-way contract. The evaluations reflect early impressions through July 13, 2026, and tease how these players might translate to the regular season.