Excitement around Top 7 rookies this September is loud and justified. The 2025 draft class landed in new homes just weeks ago, and early Summer League and training-camp chatter is already reshaping expectations for rotations and fantasy lines. A surprising sleeper – a Charlotte rookie getting repeated praise – keeps popping up in reports from SI and NBA team previews. If you follow fantasy or roster buzz, read this list and mark which breakout you’ll bet on first. Which rookie will make you regret not starting them in Week 1?
Why these 7 rookie picks matter for fantasy owners this 2025 preseason
- Kon Knueppel signed with the Hornets; early reports call him a two-way rotation candidate.
- Dylan Harper had thumb surgery on Sep 5, 2025; Spurs expect possible opener return.
- Zaccharie Risacher and Alex Sarr moved into projected bench-rotation mixes per NBA profiles.
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If you play fantasy, these names shift opening-week target lists.
The 7 rookie picks that could reshape rotations in October
1 – Kon Knueppel: Why Hornets Fans Are Suddenly Paying Attention
Kon Knueppel’s Duke-to-Hornets storyline keeps surfacing in SI’s latest reporting, where writers call his two-way feel “intriguing.” If you liked versatile wings who crash boards and defend, this one scratches that itch. Expect preseason minutes; will you roster him in deep formats?
2 – Dylan Harper: Can He Hit the opener after thumb surgery?
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Harper’s recovery timeline grabbed headlines after Sep 5, 2025 surgery notes on ESPN; the Spurs still list him as a near-opener candidate. He’s a lottery-adjacent pick with shot-creation upside. If Harper’s healthy, coaches may lean on him early – are you banking on upside or waiting?
3 – Zaccharie Risacher: The Euro forward who could start sooner than you think
NBA previews flagged Zaccharie Risacher for his floor-spacing and defensive versatility, projecting him as rotation-ready in certain lineups. Scouts praise his physicality and shooting range. If your team needs wing threes, Risacher deserves a watchlist now.
4 – Alex Sarr: Long-term ceiling, short-term minutes to track
Alex Sarr’s profile on NBA.com highlights his length and shot-blocking instincts; coaching staffs often ease big men in, but blowout minutes and matchup nights could spike his value. If you value upside over immediate stats, Sarr is a stash candidate this preseason.
5 – Reed Sheppard: The floor-spacing guard scouts compare to late-round gold
Sheppard’s shooting and playmaking earned him steady mention in rookie previews; teams hunting bench scoring might hand him real minutes by November. He’s a “sleeper who hits” type for weekly formats. Would you pick a streaky shooter with upside?
6 – Stephon Castle: Two-way toughness that translates to meaningful minutes
Castle shows up on team depth charts as a glue-player who can defend multiple spots and handle the ball. Coaches covet that kind of flexibility. If defensive plus/minus matters in your league, Castle is one to monitor.
7 – VJ Edgecombe: The hybrid guard who could surprise in small-ball lineups
Edgecombe’s mix of playmaking and slashing routes him onto short rotations that exploit pace mismatches, according to draft coverage. He’s not a guaranteed starter, but rotation bumps come quickly in volatile lineups. Are you watching his preseason usage patterns?
The numbers behind these 7 rookies and what they show
| KPI | Value + Unit | Change/Impact |
|---|---|---|
| Rookies Featured | 7 picks | Concentrates top preseason buzz |
| Sources Consulted | 3 articles | SI + NBA previews informed list |
| Embeds Included | 2 videos | Visual scouting evidence shown |
What will these rookies change for fans and fantasy in 2025?
Rotation flips and surprise starters are likely in Week 1. Keep at least two of these seven on your radar in shallow leagues. Track preseason minutes and the Hornets’ usage pattern closely. Which rookie will cause the biggest waiver-wire scramble this October?
Sources
- https://www.si.com/nba/draft/nba-rookies/can-charlotte-hornets-rookie-kon-knueppel-achieve-stardom
- https://www.si.com/nba/draft/nba-rookies/three-nba-rookies-tagged-as-top-newcomers-to-watch-flagg-harper-edgecombe
- https://www.nba.com/2024-25-season-preview
Jessica Morrison is a seasoned entertainment writer with over a decade of experience covering television, film, and pop culture. After earning a degree in journalism from New York University, she worked as a freelance writer for various entertainment magazines before joining red94.net. Her expertise lies in analyzing television series, from groundbreaking dramas to light-hearted comedies, and she often provides in-depth reviews and industry insights. Outside of writing, Jessica is an avid film buff and enjoys discovering new indie movies at local festivals.