We’ve gotten a good look at the 2024 NBA rookie class, and a few names have stood out among the rest. Here are our top five rookies through the first three weeks of the NBA season:
1. Zach Edey — Memphis Grizzlies
Stats: 11.2 PPG, 6.6 RPG, 0.7 APG, 0.8 SPG, 0.9 BPG
Edey moved out of the starting lineup over the last two games, but has still managed to be a force on both ends. His averages are coming while playing less than 20 minutes per game. The 7-foot-4 big man uses his size well to create easy scoring opportunities. He’s shooting 64.6-percent from the field and went 11-for-12 in a game versus Brooklyn a week ago. Edey has also shown a willingness to let it fly from beyond the arc, nailing 4-of-7 attempts from three. It will be interesting to see if he earns more minutes as the season wears on, but Edey has made an immediate impact for the Grizzlies.
2. Jaylen Wells — Memphis Grizzlies
Stats: 11.4 PPG, 3.3 RPG, 1.6 APG, 0.4 SPG, 0.3 BPG
Edey isn’t the only Memphis rookie making some noise. Injuries to key players led to rookie Jaylen Wells earning a bigger role than anticipated. He quickly found himself in the starting lineup and has performed well thus far. Wells fits the bill of a player who will have a long career in the NBA. He stands at 6-foot-7, provides good activity on the defensive end, and has made nearly 40-percent of his three-point attempts. In a win over the veteran-laden Lakers, Wells notched 20 points and went 5-of-7 from three. With Marcus Smart coming back, and Desmond Bane not too far behind, Wells could see his minutes decrease. However, coach Taylor Jenkins will have to find time for his impressive rookies, even when the team is at full health.
3. Bub Carrington — Washington Wizards
Stats: 9.6 PPG, 4.4 RPG, 5.1 APG, 1.4 SPG, 0.4 BPG
Carrington was one of the more intriguing prospects in the draft. He played just one year at Pittsburgh, but showed impressive scoring and playmaking ability. Carrington quickly found himself in the starting backcourt next to Jordan Poole and has taken over the lead guard role for a Wizards team that has looked more competitive than many expected. Young guards almost always struggle with turnovers early on. Carrington has been an exception, averaging just 1.6 TOPG while leading all rookies in assists (5.1 APG). He’s also shown that nice mid-range game that had so many scouts enamored with his potential. Given the amount of playing time he’s seeing (30.1 MPG), Carrington has a real chance at taking the top spot in this ranking by season’s end.
4. Ryan Dunn — Phoenix Suns
Stats: 7.0 PPG, 2.3 RPG, 0.7 APG, 0.4 SPG, 0.4 BPG
The Suns may have struck gold with Dunn. Known as the best defender in the draft, scouts were worried about Dunn’s lack of shooting ability. He’s quieted those concerns early on. Dunn is shooting 39.5-percent from three while providing excellent defensive utility. Dunn has been the exact type of role player the Suns desperately needed alongside their top stars. With Kevin Durant on the mend, Dunn has been elevated to a starting role and takes on the most difficult matchup every night. His impact is invaluable right now for one of the top teams in the West.
5. Zaccharie Risacher — Atlanta Hawks
Stats: 11.7 PPG, 4.0 RPG, 1.3 APG, 1.1 SPG, 0.9 BPG
Risacher broke out with a 33-point performance in a win over the Knicks last week. His efficiency has been — most rookies are inefficient — but his confidence is growing on the offensive end and he’s been filling up the box score defensively. Among all rookies, Risacher is first in points, second in steals, fifth in blocks, and eighth in rebounds. He hasn’t been spectacular outside of the one game, but the flashes have been there.
