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Quality continues to emerge as a foremost consideration in the Kia Rookie Ladder rankings, especially as established by the diligent assessments from scouts, coaches, general managers, and various talent evaluators leading up to the 2024 NBA Draft last spring.
While the rankings have shifted somewhat since June, the top three rookies—whose names were called within the first 20 minutes of the draft night by Commissioner Adam Silver—are holding their positions well with just under two weeks remaining in the regular season.
San Antonio Spurs guard Stephon Castle, selected as the fourth overall pick, continues to dominate the Ladder. Meanwhile, Atlanta Hawks forward Zaccharie Risacher, the first overall pick, has climbed to the second spot following five months of significant growth and experience. Washington Wizards center Alex Sarr occupies the third position, maintaining strong performance just below his draft placement.
Castle has fully capitalized on his chances with the Spurs. With stars Victor Wembanyama and De’Aaron Fox sidelined for the remainder of the season, Castle’s usage percentage soared to 28.7% in March, surpassing the season averages of notable players like Trae Young (28.6%), Stephen Curry (28.3%), and Nikola Jokić (28.3%). Castle has also made a notable impact defensively, contributing to San Antonio’s impressive record of nine more wins than last season.
Over his past 14 games, Risacher has averaged 15 points while shooting 53%. Notably, during a recent game against the Philadelphia 76ers, he scored 13 consecutive points in the third quarter, culminating in a total of 22 points—marking the third occasion this season in which the 6-foot-8 forward has netted at least 16 points in a single quarter.
Here are the most recent rankings, with only 18 days remaining before the Kia Rookie of the Year votes are submitted:
• The Chicago Bulls have been on a rollercoaster ride, going 4-2 during their recent Western trip, which included impressive performances from rookie Matas Buzelis. The agile forward put on a remarkable show against the Lakers, scoring 31 points, going toe-to-toe with LeBron James, and impressively maneuvering past Luka Dončić while also experiencing the rookie initiation in the visitors’ locker room.
One perspective is that Chicago’s cautious approach with Buzelis prior to the All-Star break (averaging only 14.8 minutes per game) helped him avoid being overwhelmed. On the flip side, one can only imagine how much more impactful he could have been compared to the underwhelming expectations of 2020 draft selection Patrick Williams.
• Ron Holland II from the Detroit Pistons stands out as the rookie with the most game appearances, while only Jaylen Wells of Memphis (43) has participated in more wins than Holland’s 40. Although his average stats of 6.5 points in 15.6 minutes don’t often influence outcomes, that changed dramatically on Sunday when the 19-year-old from Duncanville, Texas, matched his season high with 26 points, alongside five rebounds and six assists over 36 minutes against the New Orleans Pelicans. His relentless energy and defensive skills proved pivotal in the Pistons’ victory.
“Coming into the season as a rookie, my primary goal was to show them I’ve arrived,” Holland shared with reporters. “I aim to play with intensity every night, both in practice and games. I want my team to know I’ve got their backs just as they have mine.”
• In the wake of last week’s “Rookiepalooza,” where Washington faced Utah, the Jazz triumphed with a strong showing from first-year players Kyle Filipowski (21 points) and Isaiah Collier (16 points, six assists, four steals), overshadowing the Wizards’ lone standout Alex Sarr, who also scored 21 points. In another key matchup that evening involving rookies, Portland’s Donovan Clingan outperformed Memphis’ Zach Edey, contributing significantly to the Blazers’ 115-99 win.
The Suns are experiencing a boost in energy from their younger players. While Phoenix may not rise above the SoFi Play-In Tournament, they could enter the playoffs with momentum, partly due to the contributions from rookies Ryan Dunn and Oso Ighodoro. Their recent uptick in performance has been attributed, in part, to Bradley Beal’s absence (hamstring injury), which has allowed Dunn and Ighodoro to see more time on the court and enhance their defensive skills. During a 6-1 run since March 14, the Suns have been forcing more turnovers, controlling the boards, and contesting three-point attempts more effectively.
(All statistics are current through Tuesday, March 25)
1. **Stephon Castle, San Antonio Spurs**
– **Season stats:** 14.1 ppg, 3.2 rpg, 3.6 apg
– **Last Ladder:** No. 1
– **Draft pick:** No. 4
Castle has averaged 20.1 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 4.5 assists over the last 15 games, though he faced challenges on Tuesday in Detroit. He missed his initial seven attempts during a tough loss but regrouped to hit his next seven shots, contributing 13 of his 19 points in the third quarter.
2. **Zaccharie Risacher, Atlanta Hawks**
– **Season stats:** 12.2 ppg, 3.7 rpg, 1.2 apg
– **Last Ladder:** No. 2
– **Draft pick:** No. 1
Risacher has garnered support from teammates, including Trae Young. “He’s been thrust into the starting role,” Young said recently. “When you compare him to other contenders for the award, his stats speak volumes. The best part is he’s just concentrating on playing and enjoying the game, making it easier for him.”
3. **Alex Sarr, Washington Wizards**
– **Season stats:** 12.7 ppg, 6.7 rpg, 1.5 bpg
– **Last Ladder:** No. 5
– **Draft pick:** No. 2
NBA expert Bill Simmons characterized Sarr as “Serge Ibaka with a three-point shot” in a recent podcast discussing the 2024 draft class. While Sarr is still honing his shooting touch (35.6% since the All-Star break), he averaged 16.3 points, 7.3 rebounds, and 1.8 blocks over the past week, including two blocks during a single possession against Toronto.
4. **Kel’el Ware, Miami Heat**
– **Season stats:** 9.0 ppg, 6.9 rpg, 1.1 bpg
– **Last Ladder:** No. 6
– **Draft pick:** No. 15
Ware excelled in the high-pressure “Jimmy Butler” game with 14 points, 10 rebounds, one block, and some eye-catching plays. In his last six outings, “Wemby Lite” has averaged 14.2 points, 10.2 rebounds, and 1.3 blocks while shooting 65.6%—notching four double-doubles during that span.
5. **Jaylen Wells, Memphis Grizzlies**
– **Season stats:** 10.6 ppg, 3.3 rpg, 1.7 apg
– **Last Ladder:** No. 3
– **Draft pick:** No. 39
Wells attempted two three-pointers in the final two minutes of Memphis’ 140-103 rout of Utah—was he pursuing stats or refining his shot? His recent three-point shooting has seen him hit only 12 of 59 attempts from beyond the arc.
6. **Zach Edey, Memphis Grizzlies**
– **Season stats:** 9.3 ppg, 7.7 rpg, 1.3 bpg
– **Last Ladder:** No. 4
– **Draft pick:** No. 9
With Brandon Clarke out for the season due to injury, the Grizzlies have hoped for increased contributions from Edey. Yet, he has averaged only 13.9 minutes per game since Clarke’s injury.
7. **Yves Missi, New Orleans Pelicans**
– **Season stats:** 8.9 ppg, 8.1 rpg, 1.4 bpg
– **Last Ladder:** No. 8
– **Draft pick:** No. 21
After missing a game due to a hip injury, Missi rebounded with a strong performance against Philadelphia, scoring 16 points and grabbing nine rebounds on 6-of-7 shooting. His ability to set screens and secure offensive rebounds belies his young age.
8. **Isaiah Collier, Utah Jazz**
– **Season stats:** 8.1 ppg, 3.3 rpg, 6.2 apg
– **Last Ladder:** No. 7
– **Draft pick:** No. 29
Collier has steadily improved his shooting percentages each month, climbing from 31.4% in November (with just 14.3% from three-point range) to 45% in March (31% from three).
9. **Bub Carrington, Washington Wizards**
– **Season stats:** 9.1 ppg, 4.0 rpg, 4.1 apg
– **Last Ladder:** No. 9
– **Draft pick:** No. 14
After losing his father, “Big Bub” Carrington, last week, the rookie achieved a double-double (15 points, 11 rebounds, and six assists) against the Raptors, although he has struggled from distance, hitting only 9 of 51 three-point attempts over his last 11 games.
T-10. **Donovan Clingan, Portland Trail Blazers**
– **Season stats:** 6.2 ppg, 7.4 rpg, 1.6 bpg
– **Last Ladder:** No. 10
– **Draft pick:** No. 7
Clingan made a significant comeback on Tuesday with 18 points, 12 rebounds, and three blocks after a disappointing game against Boston on Sunday.
T-10. **Kyle Filipowski, Utah Jazz**
– **Season stats:** 8.9 ppg, 5.5 rpg, 1.9 apg
– **Last Ladder:** Not ranked
– **Draft pick:** No. 32
Filipowski enjoyed a standout performance against the Cavaliers, posting 18 points and 13 rebounds while going 7-of-13 from the field—and he has hit 11 of his last 21 three-point attempts.
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Steve Aschburner has been covering the NBA since 1980. You can contact him here, view his archives here, and follow him on X.
The opinions expressed on this page do not reflect those of the NBA, its teams, or Warner Bros. Discovery.
