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Initially, this group faced considerable skepticism, with numerous NBA analysts heavily criticizing their prospects in mock drafts. Rather than complaining or seeking legal recourse, the Class of 2024 rolled up their sleeves and got to work.
They focused on improving their skills.
And indeed, they’ve contributed significantly to their respective teams.
The players featured on this season’s Kia Rookie Ladder may lack the star appeal of recent drafts that introduced talents like Luka Dončić, Trae Young, Ja Morant, and Zion Williamson, as well as LaMelo Ball, Anthony Edwards, Paolo Banchero, and Jalen Williams.
Comparing the current 2024 draft class’s depth to that of 2021, which gifted us stars like Cade Cunningham, Evan Mobley, Scottie Barnes, and others, might be a tall order.
However, it’s still early days—this is part of the charm of rookies, who will return as “sophomores.” The 2024 Draft has captivated several teams in the lottery, featuring some true gems who emerged from later picks in the first round and even the second.
Interestingly, the top three candidates for the 2024-25 Kia Rookie of the Year—essentially, one voter’s ballot reveal—were all selected among the first four picks. Here’s how they ranked:
1. Stephon Castle, San Antonio Spurs
2. Zaccharie Risacher, Atlanta Hawks
3. Alex Sarr, Washington Wizards
To evaluate how their season has progressed, let’s reflect back to the initial Ladder released on November 6, 2024:
A thrilling competition dominated the Kia Rookie Ladder last season, with San Antonio Spurs center Victor Wembanyama facing off against Oklahoma City Thunder’s Chet Holmgren, a battle that lasted nearly the entire year. Wembanyama is already projected to find a place among the NBA’s elite by 2047, while Holmgren, Brandon Miller, Dereck Lively II, and others realistically aspire to All-Star, All-NBA, and potentially Hall of Fame recognition.
What about the Class of 2024? Early indications suggest their impact has been more modest, with a slow start: only two rookies are averaging 10 points, four pulling down at least five rebounds, and just two managing over three assists per game.
However, reliable rotation players, sixth men, and dependable starters are also essential. While this class may lack the allure of superstars, they are creating a competitive Rookie of the Year race with frequent changes in the Top 5.
This group of rookies has made strides. As we approach the final weekend, four players are scoring in double figures (five if we consider Philadelphia’s Jared McCain, who shone early in the season before undergoing left knee surgery in December).
While they may not reach the eight double-digit scorers seen last season, they certainly surpass last year’s total of two. A smaller scoring yield doesn’t mean this rookie class lacked significant contributions.
Here’s a summary of the last five rookie classes based on those averaging 10+ points, 6+ rebounds, or 4+ assists (minimum of 50 games played):
2024-25: 4, 5, 4
2023-24: 6, 5, 3
2022-23: 8, 5, 2
2021-22: 10, 3, 3
2020-21: 7, 1, 2
One could argue that while this group may not have as many players scoring in double digits, they have made significant contributions in rebounding and playmaking. Additionally, standout performances in rim protection come from bigs like Sarr, the Miami Heat’s Kel’el Ware, the New Orleans Pelicans’ Orleans Yves Missi, the Memphis Grizzlies’ Zach Edey, and the Portland Trail Blazers’ Donovan Clingan. Also noteworthy are the defensive efforts from the Grizzlies’ Jaylen Wells, the Wizards’ Kyshawn George, and the Suns’ Ryan Dunn.
•Stephon Castle, the 6-foot-6 guard from San Antonio, is a strong candidate for ROY. He leads all rookies in points, attempts and makes in field goals and free throws, and total steals, while ranking second in total minutes and fourth in assists per game. He has scored 20 or more points 24 times, reaching over 30 twice, and has five double-doubles. His usage rate of 25.4 (with an impressive 28.6 rate post-All-Star break following injuries to teammates Wembanyama and De’Aaron Fox) also stands out in his class.
Should the UConn star secure the Wilt Chamberlain Trophy alongside Wembanyama, the Spurs would boast only the second instance of back-to-back winners in the last half-century. The last consecutive winners were Andrew Wiggins (2015) and Karl-Anthony Towns (2016) with Minnesota, while Bob McAdoo and Ernie DiGregorio also achieved this in ’73 and ’74, as did Earl Monroe and Wes Unseld in ’68 and ’69.
•Risacher was the first player drafted and has seen a resurgence, climbing back to No. 2 on the final Ladder. The Hawks decided to start this slender forward, who recently turned 20 and was born in Spain, raised in Lyon, France. He earned the East’s top rookie honor in both February and March is the sole rookie maintaining shooting splits of at least 45%, 35%, and 75% since January 1, averaging over 13 points.
•Chosen second overall, Sarr has dazzled with his potential, though his production has been inconsistent. The agile 7-foot Frenchman has shown no hesitance, launching 330 three-point attempts (only Wells, Carrington, and George have more). He has also become one of just five rookies in league history to record at least 15 games with both multiple blocks and multiple threes since the tracking of these statistics began.
• If the Rookie of the Year ballot extended to five candidates, the next two contenders would undoubtedly include Ware and Wells. Ware has hit his stride, accumulating 14 double-doubles across 61 games after logging just 69 minutes in the Heat’s first 25 contests.
Wells has started every game for the Grizzlies and has recorded the best plus/minus (185) among all rookies before suffering a broken right wrist in Charlotte on Tuesday.
Fortunately, the All-Rookie teams feature five players deep. Here are my selections for the first and second teams (not designated by position):
• Stephon Castle, San Antonio Spurs
• Zaccharie Risacher, Atlanta Hawks
• Alex Sarr, Washington Wizards
• Kel’el Ware, Miami Heat
• Jaylen Wells, Memphis Grizzlies
• Yves Missi, New Orleans Pelicans
• Zach Edey, Memphis Grizzlies
• Isaiah Collier, Utah Jazz
• Bub Carrington, Washington Wizards
• Donovan Clingan, Portland Trail Blazers
Honorable mentions: Kyle Filipowski (Utah Jazz), Kyshawn George (Washington Wizards), Matas Buzelis (Chicago Bulls), Dalton Knecht (Los Angeles Lakers), Jared McCain (Philadelphia 76ers)
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Steve Aschburner has been covering the NBA since 1980. You can reach him via email, sift through his past articles, and follow him on X.
The opinions expressed here do not necessarily represent those of the NBA, its teams, or Warner Bros. Discovery.
