Early 2025-26 Fantasy Basketball Breakouts

We’re only two weeks into the season, but several players have already emerged as fantasy basketball breakouts. Despite the small sample size, these names could be the real deal and maintain this value throughout 2025-26.

Early 2025-26 Fantasy Basketball Breakouts

Kyshawn George

The Washington Wizards are a rebuilding team loaded with young talent. At the forefront is Kyshawn George, who’s enjoying a sophomore breakout. Through five games, he’s averaging career highs in nearly every category and is posting excellent two-way numbers. The 21-year-old bumped up his scoring from 8.7 PPG to 18.6 while compiling 2.4 stocks per game. George can also facilitate, crash the glass and hit threes. The only areas where he struggles are free-throw shooting and turnovers. The 2024 24th overall pick is seeing high minutes (32.6 MPG) and has solidified his place in the starting lineup.

Alex Sarr

Fellow Wizards teammate Alex Sarr is also taking his game up a notch. While he had a solid rookie season, poor shooting splits tanked his ranking. Now, the Frenchman cleaned up his percentages to 53.6 FG% and 85.7 FT%, a tremendous improvement from 39.4 FG% and 67.9 FT%. Part of the reason for his efficient shooting from the floor is his decision to shoot fewer threes. The 20-year-old is nearly averaging a double-double and is a great source of blocks. Sarr’s also become more active as a playmaker. While his 3.0 turnovers per game are an issue, he’s shown significant growth. Consistency is key to maintaining his strong start.

Keyonte George

The Utah Jazz traded Collin Sexton and Jordan Clarkson in the summer, opening a permanent starting job for Keyonte George. The guard has stepped up offensively to score 22.3 PPG and is averaging the fourth-most assists in the league (9.3 APG). He’s also offering some steals, threes and an ultra-efficient free-throw percentage. Turnovers and shooting are still weak spots, but he’s at least converting more than 40% of his attempts for the first time. The 21-year-old will still play a significant role even when Isaiah Collier returns.

Ryan Rollins

The Milwaukee Bucks waiving Damian Lillard in the offseason left a gaping hole at point guard. Kevin Porter Jr. was supposed to fill it, but his injury left Ryan Rollins to take on the responsibility. The 2022 second-round pick has only cracked the top 300 in category league rankings once in his short career, yet he’s currently placed 29th per Hashtag Basketball. While that will likely drop, Rollins is providing fantastic value in points, assists, steals, threes and shooting splits. While the eventual return of Porter Jr. muddles things, Rollins is making a solid case to continue starting.

Donovan Clingan

Donovan Clingan is the new starting center for the Portland Trail Blazers. So far, he’s mostly impressed in the promotion. The big man is nearly averaging a double-double with 10.4 PPG and 9.0 RPG. Clingan is an excellent source of defensive stats, namely blocks (1.6 BPG). He can even shoot efficiently and has shown signs of developing his offensive game. The sophomore has also flashed some playmaking skills. The 21-year-old is taking more threes, albeit at a low conversion rate. Clingan is seeing 26.0 MPG, but there hasn’t been any real threat to his playing time.

Jaime Jaquez Jr.

Despite not starting, Jaime Jaquez Jr. is getting plenty of opportunities off the bench with 29.2 MPG. He’s quickly heated up and is currently the third-highest-ranked Miami Heat player in category formats. The guard/forward’s best assets have been his scoring, playmaking, rebounding, steals and hot shooting of 62.3%, which will come down. The 24-year-old’s roster percentage is rising, but still too low despite his recent dud performance. One of the big concerns for Jaquez Jr.’s long-term production is how Tyer Herro will impact him once he eventually returns from his injury. The other is whether he can stay healthy.

Nickeil Alexander-Walker

Joining the Atlanta Hawks turned out to be a very beneficial move for Nickeil Alexander-Walker, as the 27-year-old is having his best season yet. This is the first time he’s ranked inside the top 200 in his seven-year career, as he’s currently placed 75th. Alexander-Walker is managing to post good numbers regardless of whether he’s starting or coming off the bench. It’s also encouraging that he’s been able to provide high value even before Trae Young’s injury. Defence is the Canadian’s calling card, but he’s also offering more in points, assists and threes. Poor field goal percentage is his biggest hole.

Josh Minott

Josh Minott entered the starting lineup two games ago and is making a very solid case to remain there. He was well off the fantasy radar during his time with the Minnesota Timberwolves, but he has completely flipped the switch in his fourth year. The Boston Celtics are missing several players due to offseason changes and injuries, which gives Minott a real chance to keep starting if he maintains this level of production. It’s a small sample size, but the small forward’s averages of 13.0 PPG, 12.0 RPG, 2.0 SPG, 1.0 BPG. 1.5 3PM and 55.6 FG% over the past two outings are very encouraging.

Neemias Queta

The center position looks very different for the Celtics following some offseason departures, leaving Neemias Queta as their new main big. He doesn’t have much experience in the role, having started just six matches in the past. Even though he’s still finding his footing, he’s already showcasing his potential. Ranked 92nd, he’s offering good defensive value with 9.0 RPG, 1.0 SPG and 1.6 BPG. On the other end, he’s scored double-digit points twice and is shooting an efficient 60%. The 26-year-old only finished inside the top 300 once in his career. While some of his numbers don’t jump off the page, Queta is still serviceable and could get better as the season progresses.