One of my personal favorite parts of any new NBA season is learning about the rookie class. After many months of scouting, watching these fledgling pros adjust to the league will always be fascinating. This is the first NBA rookie ladder for the 2024-25 season.
After a star-studded 2023 rookie class, scouts expected the 2024 class to be weaker. That’s been the case so far, as very few rookies are playing at the level of last year’s prospects. Many of the best rookies so far, as should be expected, are older, more experienced prospects.
We’ll be ranking these rookies based on their current performance, not on their future outlook. I’ll split the list into tiered groups and a rookie’s tier placement is more important than their individual ranking. Let’s discuss the rookie class and dive deeper into some of the starts we find particularly intriguing. Any player averaging fewer than 10 minutes per game won’t be discussed on the rookie ladder.
Impact NBA Rotation Player
- Ryan Dunn
- Zach Edey
Positive Play By Rookie Standards
- Yves Missi
- Jonathan Mogbo
- Bub Carrington
- Alex Sarr
- Donovan Clingan
- Ajay Mitchell
- Jaylen Wells
Flashes/Inconsistent Play
- Dalton Knecht
- Ron Holland
- Stephon Castle
- Zaccharie Risacher
- Kyle Filipowski
- Kyshawn George
- Tristan Da Silva
- Jamal Shead
- Cody Williams
Ryan Dunn tops this list as a result of his surprising outside shooting and defensive impact. We’ll have a detailed review of him with more information soon.
Zach Edey
After a few difficult early games, the back-to-back College National Player of the Year is finding his stride with the Memphis Grizzlies. His efficient interior scoring has immediately translated to the tune of a strong 64.5 percent true shooting mark. Of the five rookies with a usage rate above 18 percent, only Edey has posted efficiency above the league average.
He’s maintained scoring efficiency without drawing tons of fouls (25.8 percent free-throw rate) or making his free throws (43.8 percent). He’s been a willing 3-point shooter in spurts, making 2 of his 4 attempts to this point.
Some matchups present problems for Edey, but his size will help him thrive on defense against smaller teams like the Brooklyn Nets. Parking Edey in the paint will generate positive rim protection results, even if teams pull him away from the basket in stretches.
Memphis’ willingness to lean into Edey’s strengths as an interior scorer is encouraging for his future production. Despite his shortcomings, the Grizzlies are well-suited to weaponize Edey’s scoring, screening and interior defense. He’s one of the few rookies playing at a positive level so far, making him a clear top tier rookie ladder entry.
Alex Sarr, Bub Carrington, Kyshawn George
The Washington Wizards are commendably committing to their rebuild, playing all three of their first-round rookies significant minutes. Carrington leads all rookies in minutes per game (29.2), followed by George in second (27.3) and Sarr in fifth (25). Head coach Brian Keefe has shown the willingness to let his rookies work through mistakes and has empowered them with on-court freedom.
Early in his career, Alex Sarr’s defense is as impressive as advertised. He’s a freakish mover with the versatility to switch onto the perimeter, execute multiple pick-and-roll coverages and defend the rim. Aside from Donovan Clingan (13.3 percent), Sarr’s 10.4 percent block rate leads all rookies, placing him in the 99th percentile league-wide. His scoring needs work, but his passing to cutters has been encouraging.
Unlike most of his rookie peers, Carrington’s utility in an off-ball role has allowed him to maintain solid efficiency (57.2 percent true shooting). Among rookies, he’s second in points per game (10.3, only trailing Edey’s 11.1) and first in assists per game (4.8). Defense will be a challenge for the 18-year-old guard, but he’s competed with high effort on the ball.
Even George has flashed some positive defensive play guarding the ball with his size, He’s still a ways away offensively, but his confidence, along with Sarr and Carrington, is a positive sign for future development and their place on the rookie ladder.
Jonathan Mogbo
jonathan mogbo is so damn explosive, his flashes on the wing are terrifying pic.twitter.com/1oZX8t18Qc
— ben pfeifer (@bjpf_) October 26, 2024
Mogbo has provided a spark for a young and entertaining Toronto Raptors team. He’s already one of the NBA’s premier chaos agents, wrecking on both ends with his athleticism and high motor. His early steal and block rates are both above 3.0 percent, making him one of seven NBA players to reach those numbers so far.
He’s a positive playmaker, specializing as an interior passer to the post and to cutters. Mogbo feeds Toronto’s wings diving to the hoop, making their lives easier. His positional deployment, especially on offense, will be critical to track. According to Basketball Reference, Mogbo has spent 75 percent of his minutes at the four after playing center in college.
His transition to the wing on offense will be rocky as Mogbo improves his handle and decision-making. But some of the flashes of powerful driving are tantalizing. He must improve in many areas to reach his ceiling, but his knack for positive impact plays on both ends will aid the development of other Raptors’ young players.
Ron Holland
through his first eight NBA games, ron holland is shooting 75% at the rim on 6.4 attempts per 75 possessions (81st percentile)
the burst, explosion and relentless aggression have popped immediately. still believe his slashing potential is immense pic.twitter.com/HKFe7qnsU7
— ben pfeifer (@bjpf_) November 6, 2024
Holland is providing a solid rotation spark for a Detroit Pistons team that has finally escaped the NBA’s basement, at least to this point. Despite shooting 6.3 percent from deep, Holland’s confidence always stands out. He’s not passing up wide-open jumpers, which will be critical for his shooting progression.
Some of Holland’s driving flashes suggest impressive advantage creation potential. He’s shooting 75 percent at the rim on 6.6 drives per 40 minutes. His explosion, craft and relentlessness in the open floor have already made him an effective slasher on the wing.
It will take time for Holland to impact the game at a positive level on the offensive end. But his motor and defense have already been encouraging. Few NBA players play harder than Holland. Pairing that motor with his athleticism and playmaking instincts render him an impact defender, both on and off of the ball.
