Before Victor Wembanyama played a minute in the NBA last season, he was the preordained Rookie of the Year. Then, he proved it on the court. There wasn’t much debate last season about whom would win the award.
That’s not the case in 2024-25. The Rookie of the Year race is wide open, and that was predictable in June at the draft when the No. 1 pick wasn’t obvious. This season’s Rookie of the Year might not be a lottery pick and that would mark just the third time since 1985 that the Rookie of the Year was not a top-10 pick – Mark Jackson won the award in 1988 as the No. 18 pick and Malcolm Brogdon won it in 2017 as the 36th pick.
Early contenders this season, such as Philadelphia 76ers guard Jared McCain (16th pick), Los Angeles Lakers forward Dalton Knecht (17th pick) and Memphis Grizzlies forward Jaylen Wells (39th pick), were not lottery picks.
USA TODAY’s NBA rookie power rankings:
NBA rookie rankings
(stats through Thursday, Dec. 5 games):
1. Philadelphia 76ers guard Jared McCain
McCain leads all rookies at 16.5 points per game and is doing so with decent efficiency at 46.8% from the field and 38.3% on 3-pointers. The Sixers have needed his production, too, with various injuries to Joel Embiid, Paul George and Tyrese Maxey. The No. 16 overall pick in the first round of the June draft, McCain also averages 2.7 rebounds and 2.6 assists and has two 30-point games, including 34 against Cleveland.
2. Los Angeles Lakers forward Dalton Knecht
There is value in taking a 23-year-old in the first round of the draft, and Knecht and the Lakers have found a mutually beneficial relationship. Knecht gets quality playing time, including nine starts, with a legitimate playoff contender. He averages 11.1 points and is proving himself a strong 3-point shooter, making 40.3% of his attempts from that distance (and 47.1% from the field). He scored a game-high 37 points (also the highest for a rookie this season) against Utah, making 9-of-12 3s.
3. Memphis Grizzlies forward Jaylen Wells
Wells played two years of Division II basketball at Sonoma State and one season at Washington State, and the Grizzlies selected him in the second round with the 39th overall pick. He has worked his way into the rotation at 24.9 minutes per game and is averaging 12.0 points, 3.5 rebounds and 1.8 assists and shooting 45.7% from the field and 38.8% on 3s. He’s a necessary part of a 15-8 start for the Grizzlies, who are tied for second place in the West.
4. San Antonio Spurs guard Stephon Castle
Though he has played mostly at the two-guard spot, Castle has also provided essential ball handling and play making ability to the roster. Castle has not been shy about slashing to the hoop and finishing. Yet, when defenses collapse, he has found Wembanyama and others. Castle trails only Bub Carrington (4.1) of the Wizards in assists per game (3.8) among rookies. He has started his last 15 games and is averaging 11.5 points over that span.
5. Atlanta Hawks forward Zaccharie Risacher
Risacher, 19, has become a far more consistent scorer over the last two weeks, thanks to a steadier 3-point shot. Through his first 14 games, Risacher hit just 22.4% of his 3s. Over his past nine games, he has made them at a 40% clip. Risacher is getting more comfortable on the defensive end, too. He ranks third, second and sixth among rookies in points (11.7), steals (0.9) and blocks (0.7) per game. He scored a season-best 33 points against New York on Nov. 6.
6. Memphis Grizzlies center Zach Edey
Edey is another valuable rookie contributor to the Grizzlies, and like Knecht, a player who spent at least four years playing college basketball. Per 36 minutes, Edey, who is sidelined with a sprained left ankle, averages 20.0 points, 12.4 rebounds, 1.8 blocks, 1.5 steals and 1.4 assists and shoots 60% from the field, and though it’s limited attempts, he has made 60% on 3-pointers. With Edey on the court, the Grizzlies outscore opponents by 3.4 points.
