The 2023-24 rookie class will be headlined by a pair of seven-footers who are hoping to become faces of their respective franchise.
Chet Holmgren and Victor Wembanyama will likely battle it out for the Rookie of the Year award. While they’ll both be rookies, they weren’t drafted in the same year. Holmgren was the 2022 No. 2 pick by the Oklahoma City Thunder but missed the entire 2022-23 season due to a Lisfranc injury while Wembanyama was the 2023 No. 1 pick for the San Antonio Spurs.
Former NBA player Jamal Crawford offered his insight on the anticipated Rookie of the Year race. In an interview with reporter Landon Buford, Crawford said he wouldn’t necessarily bank Wembanyama to run away with the award and mentioned Holmgren as someone who could be victorious.
“You got Chet Holmgren, who’s a rookie now too, who may have even more opportunities,” Crawford said. “He’s had a chance to get stronger and watch the NBA game, so you know it’s gonna be a good year.”
Jamal Crawford on Is @wemby Favorite to win 2023-24 ROY:
"I'm not sure. You got Chet Holmgren, who's a rookie now too, who may have even more opportunities," Says @Jcrossover.
"He's had a chance to get stronger and watch the NBA game, so you know… pic.twitter.com/1ZwsBSCfMl
— Landon Buford (@LandonBuford) August 4, 2023
Crawford and Holmgren share a unique history, as the latter suffered his season-ending foot injury last year at the former’s Pro-Am in Seattle. Both players also share ties with Washington — Crawford originated from Seattle and Holmgren spent his lone college season at Gonzaga.
