Starting 5 | 2025-26 Topps Basketball Rookies

Assembling the All-Rookie Starting 5

Here at Topps RIPPED, we’re putting together our Starting 5’s. Sure, positionless basketball may be all the rage in some places, but we’re taking it back to more traditional positioning, building out some dream lineups in the Hardwood Hobby.

To get started, here’s RIPPED’s 2025-26 Topps Basketball All-Rookie Starting 5. 

Point Guard – Dylan Harper, San Antonio Spurs

While Harper needs a few weeks off with a calf injury, we’ve seen enough. The young point guard showed remarkable poise in the start of his NBA career, displaying an ability to slow the game down, alongside the power to play at a preposterous pace.

The sky is the ceiling for Harper and the Spurs. This Rookie Photo Shoot Auto features a fantastic player image of the rising star in San Antonio.

Shooting Guard – Kon Knueppel, Charlotte Hornets

A truly perfect fit alongside young stars LaMelo Ball and Brandon Miller, Knuepple set an NBA record with 22 three-pointers made in the first seven games of his career. Flashes of his skill as a cutter with some playmaking upside have Charlotte convinced they found a franchise cornerstone.

Knueppel chase cards include his Flagship Real One Rookie Auto, pictured above.

Small Forward – Ace Bailey, Utah Jazz

With incredible size at one of the game’s most coveted positions, this smooth-scoring wing is being prepped for stardom in Utah. The fifth overall pick in this year’s draft, Bailey has drawn comparisons to some of the great wings of the modern NBA, from Kevin Durant to Tracy McGrady.

Looking for a Bailey chase? Try this phenomenal case-hit Home Court insert card, celebrating Bailey’s arrival in Salt Lake City.

Power Forward – Cooper Flagg, Dallas Mavericks

Flagg arrived in the league with greater expectations than any other rookie this year, and he’s shown out. Despite all the noise, what stands out is Cooper’s elite versatility. “He can do it all” is thrown around far too often, but with Flagg, his potential in all facets is truly top-tier.

A career full of All-NBA and All-Defense selections is absolutely in play, and his All Kings insert card is a great RC to add to a Flagg collection.

Center: Derik Queen, New Orleans Pelicans

Queen has given fans and collectors just a taste of his high-ceiling, all-around offensive game. As he settles in, we can expect to see elite playmaking from the center position, to go with his quality face up and post games.

Queen looks set to become a key offensive hub in New Orleans. Chase a piece of Queen’s RC slate with this unique relic card offering.

Sixth Man – Cedric Coward, Memphis Grizzlies

Coward’s first stretch at the NBA level suggests that the Grizzlies have once again struck gold in the draft. A late lottery pick, Coward has impressed with his outside shooting, offensive efficiency, and all-round game.

The star potential is clear, and NBA Topps NOW® has already celebrated the rising star with card all his own, pictured above. Collectors should also look out for his Rise to the Occasion relic card.

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