- Jared McCain has been the best player in the rookie class so far this season.
While this year’s rookie class may not boast immediate star power, it is rich in quality players, assuring a promising future for the NBA.
Every top rookie has areas for improvement. The crucial role of NBA teams will be to harness their strengths and ensure that players can thrive for their respective franchises.
As a result, this rookie ranking list will feature several changes throughout the 2024-25 NBA season.
Here is a look at how I rank the top players in this rookie class:
NBA Rookie Rankings 2024-25
| Rank | Player | Team |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jared McCain | 76ers |
| 2 | Dalton Knecht | Lakers |
| 3 | Zaccharie Risacher | Hawks |
| 4 | Jaylen Wells | Grizzlies |
| 5 | Zach Edey | Grizzlies |
| 6 | Bub Carrington | Wizards |
| 7 | Stephon Castle | Spurs |
| 8 | Yves Missi | Pelicans |
| 9 | Ryan Dunn | Suns |
| 10 | Alex Sarr | Wizards |
1. Jared McCain
McCain was thrust into a bigger role after Tyrese Maxey suffered an injury and he’s been the lone bright spot for the reeling 76ers. It looks like they found another talented guard that can put up impressive stats.
2. Dalton Knecht
Knecht fell to No. 17 due to his age (23), and that’s already looking like a mistake. He scored 37 points against the Utah Jazz in an NBA Cup matchup, which marked the best scoring output by any rookie this season.
3. Zaccharie Risacher
The No. 1 overall pick faced plenty of criticism during the draft process, but he’s proven doubters wrong early on in his NBA career. I’m impressed with his defensive performance, particularly with his ability to navigate screens.
4. Jaylen Wells
The Grizzlies have been dealing with a number of injuries to start the year, but they’d be in far worse shape if Wells hadn’t been an immediate contributor as the No. 39 pick.
5. Zach Edey
The two-time National Player of the Year needs to work on fouling less, but he’s producing as a scorer and rebounder as the starting center for Memphis.
6. Bub Carrington
Carrington has earned plenty of playing time for a Wizards team focused on its youth development. I’d like to see more opportunities for him as the lead guard, however.
7. Stephon Castle
The Spurs have been trusting Castle in recent weeks, and the 6-foot-6 combo guard has been making the most of it as a scorer and facilitator.
8. Yves Missi
Not much has gone right for the Pelicans this year, but Missi has emerged as the team’s top center in his debut season.
9. Ryan Dunn
The Suns might have landed the steal of the draft at No. 28. Dunn’s defensive prowess has transitioned to the NBA right away and his 3-point shooting has been better than it ever was at Virginia.
10. Alex Sarr
The No. 2 overall pick will need to develop on the offensive end, but he continues to make an impact defensively for the Wizards.
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