Predictions: Who Will Win NBA Rookie of the Year in 2024-25?
It’s never too early to start looking at the NBA end-of-year awards. In one of the weakest perceived draft classes in the past few years, the 2024-25 NBA Rookie of the Year race will be more wide open than the previous few.
Below, we’ll take a look at some of the possible contenders for this year’s NBA Rookie of the Year Award, and rank the top candidates for the award so far.
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1. Hawks F Zaccharie Risacher
Hawks rookie forward Zaccharie Risacher’s start in the United States was not ideal at all. His shooting splits in the Summer League were 39% FG/25 3-PT/43 FT. The No. 1 overall pick started rough, which is expected of most rookies, but has slowly begun to pick up the pace.
In November, the Frenchman has increased his points per game from 9 to 14 and has increased all his shooting percentages as well. His standout game of the season so far came against the Knicks, where he had 33 points and 7 rebounds. He got those 33 points on efficient shooting from the field — 11-of-18 FG and 6-of-10 on 3-pointers.
Not only did he get it done offensively, but he was strong defensively as well against the Knicks. He added three steals and two blocks along with seven rebounds.
Despite the rough edges, Risacher’s role is growing in this team. He’s starting to take more shots and more importantly, becoming a complementary player to Trae Young; someone who can play off-ball and defend the team’s best player.
2. Grizzlies C Zach Edey
There was a lot of talk throughout his college career and in the NBA Draft that Zach Edey’s game would not translate to the next level. So far he is proving all the doubters wrong. His first NBA game became noteworthy for the wrong reasons, fouling out in only 15 minutes, but he’s turned it around since then.
Edey is averaging just over 11 points per game along with 6 rebounds off the bench for the Grizz. Like Risacher, November has seen increased production in scoring for the Canadian along with more production in rebounding and defensive stats.
His standout game of the young season also came against the Nets. The No. 9 pick went 11-of-12 from the field with a three-pointer It would be the second of back-to-back double-doubles after getting one against the 76ers.
Edey has essentially become Memphis’ Steven Adams replacement after seeing one of the most beloved guys in the team’s locker room depart for the Houston Rockets.
Even with five inches of height on Adams — 7-foot-4 vs. 6-foot-11 — Edey is not the elite defender that Adams is. However, he can provide a lot more scoring punch than the New Zealander above.
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3. Wizards G Bub Carrington
Carlton “Bub” Carrington is one of three first-round picks that the Washington Wizards had in this year’s draft, along with Alexandre Sarr and Kyshawn George. So far he is the standout player of all three of those picks.
Carrington is a starter on the team and is one of the primary ball handlers, along with Jordan Poole. The 14th overall pick currently leads the team in assists and is guarding the opposing team’s better backcourt player.
While Carrington hasn’t had a notable standout game in the scoring department, he’s been able to rack up a lot of peripheral stats. Against the Golden State Warriors, he got 16 points, 8 rebounds, and 7 assists. He and teammate George earned compliments from Warriors PF Draymond Green for their energy.
He followed that game up with 10 points, 10 rebounds, 8 assists, and four steals against the Grizzlies. The biggest increase in this month for Carrington has been more assists and rebounds. If he keeps it up, he may be the most well-rounded rookie on this list.
4. Washington Wizards F Alexandre Sarr
Similar to No. 1 overall pick and fellow countryman Risacher, Alexandre Sarr’s start in the states was rough to say the least. The No. 2 overall pick started Summer League averaging just over 5 points per game on shooting splits of 19% FG/11% 3-PT/50% FT.
With this being considered one of the weakest classes in a long time, the spotlight grew even bigger with their horrid performances.
Like Carrington, Sarr is playing as a starter. He isn’t playing against the opposing team’s center currently due to his smaller frame, so veteran Jonas Valancuinas has been taking that role while Sarr continues to bulk up.
The shooting was always going to be a work in progress, but Sarr has found his calling so far dominating in blocks and rebounds. He currently leads the rookie class in both rebounds (6.2) and blocks (2.4) per game.
Sarr is the second-fastest teenager to reach 20 blocks and is currently in the 99th percentile in block-rate percentage, at over 10 percent. He has had a block in every game so far this season and in all but one game he’s recorded multiple blocks.
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Three top-10 draft picks were mentioned as standout NBA rookies for 2024-25, but other rookies like Suns forward Ryan Dunn, 76ers guard Jared McCain, Grizzlies forward Jaylen Wells, and Orlando forward Tristan da Silva have all had a standout game or notable impacts on their teams so far.
The race for this year’s NBA Rookie of the Year will be one to monitor month-to-month or even week-to-week with the race being as wide open as ever.
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