André Snellings
Nov 10, 2025, 12:17 PM ET
Dr. André Snellings is a senior writer for men’s and women’s fantasy basketball and sports betting at ESPN. André has a Ph.D. in biomedical engineering from Michigan. He joined ESPN in 2017 after a 16-year career as a neural engineer, during which time he was also a writer and analyst for Rotowire.
The NBA season is moving quickly, and young players can suddenly shift from fringe rotation pieces to fantasy-worthy contributors. Below are lightly rostered players who are earning roles and can help your fantasy squads.
Point guard
Ajay Mitchell, PG, Oklahoma City Thunder (49.1% rostered)
With perimeter injuries for the Thunder, Mitchell has seized consistent minutes and production. He’s a regular upper-teens scorer, chips in roughly seven combined rebounds and assists, and helps in steals and 3-pointers while keeping this role.
Davion Mitchell, PG, Miami Heat (33.9%)
Davion has morphed into more than a traditional 3-and-D guard — he’s providing defense and distribution. He’s had multiple games with three or more steals and several outings with eight-plus assists. As a streamer, he offers low double-double upside and frequent steal potential.
Shooting guard
Ayo Dosunmu, SG, Chicago Bulls (12.8%)
Despite a brief absence with a quad issue, Dosunmu has earned a steady role while Coby White remains sidelined. He’s a consistent upper-teens scorer with efficient shooting, a few triples, and modest boards and assists per game.
Cason Wallace, SG, Oklahoma City Thunder (24.0%)
Wallace is pacing the league early in steals. While his scoring ceiling is modest, he contributes rebounds, assists and 3s and typically delivers around three steals a night — valuable in category formats.
Small forward
Ryan Dunn, SF, Phoenix Suns (8.8%)
Dunn started the season in the Phoenix lineup and returned to the bench without losing minutes or production after Jalen Green’s return — who is now out again. He’s a low double-digit scorer and a 3-and-D wing who adds rebounds, steals and triples, making him useful in deeper leagues.
Zaccharie Risacher, SF, Atlanta Hawks (15.9%)
With Trae Young injured, Risacher has a chance to expand his role. He showed scoring upside (21 points in 26 minutes in one game) and, when engaged, can help with 3-pointers and steals. Consistency remains the key for him to stick as a fantasy contributor.
Power forward
Jake LaRavia, PF, Los Angeles Lakers (32.6%)
LaRavia flashed scoring with back-to-back 25-plus games, though that level isn’t likely nightly given the Lakers’ offensive depth. He provides rebounds, floor-spacing from 3, and occasional steals. In deep formats he’s worth a roster spot; otherwise he’s a high-upside streamer.
Center
Ryan Kalkbrenner, C, Charlotte Hornets (38.2%)
Kalkbrenner has shown he can be fantasy-relevant with his defensive presence and activity. A decorated collegiate defender, he’s been producing combined blocks and steals regularly and offers low double-double upside — rosterable in points leagues and potentially a starter in category leagues.
Zach Edey, C, Memphis Grizzlies (19.2%)
Edey is nearing a return after offseason ankle surgery and G League rehab. As a rookie he was often a low double-double threat and contributed nearly two combined steals/blocks per game. If he returns to or exceeds that level in his sophomore season, he belongs on most fantasy rosters.
