2026 NBA Rookie Cards: Lendeborg, Acuff Lead Early Rookie Grades

2026 NBA rookie cards have a new talking point: Yaxel Lendeborg earned the only A+ in CBS Sports' Nov. 2 grades of the lottery class after two weeks, while Darius Acuff Jr. is scoring 26.3 points a night. The grades land days before the Nov. 5 release of 2026-27 Topps Basketball.

Key points

• CBS Sports gave Lendeborg (Warriors) an A+ after a 37-point career high against the Clippers.
• Acuff (Kings) had 34 points and 14 assists against the Pelicans. CBS research says LeBron James is the only other teenager with a 30-point, 12-assist game.
• Caleb Wilson and Cameron Boozer also drew strong grades, and Boozer's Grizzlies were the NBA's only unbeaten team at publication.
• 2026-27 Topps Basketball opens early at 15 DICK'S House of Sport stores on Nov. 4, per Cardlines.

How did the 2026 NBA rookies grade after two weeks?

CBS Sports writer Cameron Salerno graded each lottery pick and argued this group could end up among the best rookie classes ever, while admitting recency bias may play a part. Here is where the most-chased names stood:

• Yaxel Lendeborg, Warriors: 22.3 points and 3.7 assists per game, plus three straight games of 25 or more, including 31 points and 12 rebounds against the Nuggets.
• Darius Acuff Jr., Kings: 26.3 points, 6.3 assists and 3.2 made threes per game.
• Caleb Wilson, Bulls: 21.2 points, 6.7 rebounds and 1.5 blocks per game. He is taking about 7.8 threes a night but hitting just 29.8%.
• Cameron Boozer, Grizzlies: 17.3 points and 10.5 rebounds per game, with a first career triple-double (18 points, 12 rebounds, 12 assists) and a 27-point career high.
• AJ Dybantsa, Wizards: The No. 1 pick missed four games with an ankle injury, then scored 19 in his debut against the Cavaliers on a minutes limit.
• Darryn Peterson, Jazz: 13.3 points and 2.8 assists per game, good for a B.

Two weeks is a small sample, and these numbers will move. They do show which players collectors will be watching as new product arrives.

When does 2026-27 Topps Basketball release?

Cardlines lists the official release as Nov. 5, 2026, with an early opening on Wednesday, Nov. 4 at 15 DICK'S House of Sport locations. Our sports card release calendar tracks the rest of this month's dates.

Which of these rookies are in 2026-27 Topps Basketball?

The Cardlines preview names Dybantsa, Peterson, Boozer, Wilson and Keaton Wagler as rookies in the set. It does not mention Lendeborg or Acuff, so check the full list before chasing either one. Our 2026-27 Topps Basketball checklist guide has set details. Standard hobby boxes include one autograph or relic card, according to Cardlines.

FAQ

Who got the top grade among 2026 NBA rookies?

Yaxel Lendeborg of the Warriors, with an A+ in the CBS Sports grades published Nov. 2.

What did Darius Acuff Jr. do that only LeBron James had done?

CBS Sports research says the two are the only teenagers with at least 30 points and 12 assists in a game. Acuff had 34 and 14 against the Pelicans.

Where can I find more cards by player?

Browse player collections on our shop by player page.

Sources: CBS Sports; Cardlines.