NBA 2024/25 Rookie Rankings – February

NBA 2024/25 Rookie Rankings – February

Given all the crazy that took place over the month of February – the Luka Doncic trade, the trade deadline itself, the Luka trade, the All-Star game being resurrected/killed off, and the Luka trade – it’s almost understandable that this rookie class were placed in the shade.

Let’s not disregard that for an unheralded draft class, there have been some fantastic performances thus far and some deep cut gems who are emerging.

As always, these rankings are not reflective of the entire season. Rather, they rank the performance of the rookies since our last check-in in late January. Unless otherwise stated, all stats come via Basketball Reference and Stathead.

NBA 2024/25 Rookie Rankings: January – Vendetta Sports Media

1. Stephon Castle – San Antonio Spurs (Last Ranking: 1)

He’s still far more effective as a starter, but Castle has at last found some consistency, no matter his role. Dating back to mid-January, Castle has scored in double figures in 17 of his last 20 appearances and whilst his true shooting percentage of 53.3% over that span isn’t eye-popping, it’s good for a player who struggles with his outside shot.

Defensively, Castle is already a disruptive presence, demonstrating rare physicality for a rookie guard. His ability to navigate pick and roll defense is advanced for a veteran, let alone a freshman. His quick hands saw him average 1.5 steals per game through February.

Castle is giving this writer more Victor Oladipo vibes every time he plays.

2. Zaccharie Risacher – Atlanta Hawks (LR: 9)

With adversity comes opportunity, and the Hawks suffering the adversity of losing Jalen Johnson has allowed Risacher the opportunity to spread his wings. The very day our January rankings went live, the first overall pick poured in 30 points against Cleveland, and it proved a precursor to his best month as a pro, averaging 12.8 points on 48/46/83 shooting splits and a 3:1 assist-to-turnover ratio.

With greater responsibility comes more repetition and, in turn, a more decisive player with ball in hand. Whilst he doesn’t project to be anything more than a secondary creator – not ideal return for a number one pick – Risacher has shown that he is going to have a long and productive career.

Zaccharie Risacher on defense

Zaccharie Risacher on offense pic.twitter.com/d3OVCSwXVp

— Kevin Chouinard (@KLChouinard) February 23, 2025

3. Jaylen Wells – Memphis Grizzlies (LR: 4)

What a story! From division II collegiate player to starting on a high performing NBA team in the space of just two years. Whilst clearly an underappreciated talent, Wells’ own maturity and understanding of his role has been paramount to his success. Most rookies, especially a second-round pick, struggle defensively. Wells, by contrast, busts his backside to slither around or fight over picks, plays physically at the point of attack, and is rarely by off ball movement.

The gravy has been his offensive flashes. Whilst his outside shooting fell away in February (to a still decent 35.6%, Wells showed an ability to attack and finish at the cup, connecting on 49.3% of his shots overall and over 70% at the rim.  

4. Zach Edey – Memphis Grizzlies (LR: 7)

The transition from the structures, slower college game to the wide-open expanses of the NBA has been tough for Edey. That said, he has gotten incrementally better at finding ways to fit in offensively and play to his defensive strengths.

Edey is becoming increasingly effective as a finisher on the roll and encouragingly is starting to move the ball when he catches on the short roll. Defensively, the rookie still struggles when isolated on the perimeter but has improved dramatically as a weakside rim protector, his recognition and speed in pivoting into position leading to more contests and less shots at the rim.

5. Isaiah Collier – Utah Jazz (LR: New Entry)

Collier appears to be a classic case of a player not cut out for collegiate basketball. After dominating at the high school level to the point where he was viewed as a possible first overall pick, a most disappointing season at USC saw Collier slip to the second to last pick of the first round. Whilst it has cost him millions of dollars, his loss has been Utah’s gain.

The nuggety guard has Utah’s offense looking as competent as it has since their tanking started a couple of seasons ago. A natural point guard, he has been the distributor that converted two guard Keyonte George simply isn’t.

Through February, Collier has averaged 9.1 assists a night, a figure that would rank fourth in the entire league, never mind rookies, if it held throughout the season. He uses his speed a robust frame to create passing angles that no other play on this Jazz roster could manufacture.

Collier’s shooting – 41/25/61 on the season – remains a concern but over the past six weeks he has found himself as an NBA player.

6. Kel’el Ware – Miami Heat (LR: 5)

After taking a starting spot in late January, Ware has made sure to hold onto it. That said, he is experiencing some growing pains. His white-hot outside shooting from January has fallen off a cliff – 44.7% from three-point range down to 15% – whilst his defensive numbers are startlingly poor for a player with his obvious gifts. With Ware on the floor without Bam Adebayo, Miami ranks 27th in defensive efficiency, which climbs all the way to second when the two share the floor.

7. Yves Missi – New Orleans Pelicans (LR: 2)

Missi continues to be perhaps the lone bright spot in a dreadful New Orleans season.

The big Belgian continues to rebound at an elite level, currently fourth in the league – that’s the entire NBA, not just rookies – with 4.7 offensive rebounds per 36 minutes.

Offensively the rookie remains a work in progress with 65% of his scores being assisted and a further 19% coming from offensive boards. That said, he doesn’t need to be prime Hakeem Olajuwan and the Pels have to be happy with how their rim-running big is developing.

8. Carlton Carrington – Washington Wizards (LR: 8)

After a woeful January where Carrington couldn’t hit water if he fell from a boat, his jump shot recovered through February. His efficiency soared with his field goal percentage rising 13%, three-point percentage by 8% and his true shooting by 14%.  

Against Atlanta, Carrington was fantastic with a 23 point, seven assist performance, including 5/7 from deep.

9. Donovan Clingan – Portland Trailblazers (LR: New Entry)

It is perhaps a surprise that Clingan is making his first entry into these rookie rankings, but UConn product has been a victim of circumstance, with young veterans DeAndre Ayton and (when healthy) Robert Williams blocking his path.

February has been Clingan’s best month as a pro, averaging 7.1 points, an even eight rebounds an 1.5 blocks in just 17 minutes a game. He put up a monstrous line against Denver, posting 17 points, 20 boards and three blocks whilst matchup up with Nikola Jokic, just a game after putting up 21 and 17 off the bench against the same opponent.

10. Matas Buzelis – Chicago Bulls (LR: New Entry)

Another first Rookie Rankings entry, this time for Bulls local boy Buzelis.

Few individual players have benefitted from the trade deadline than Buzelis, who has slipped seamlessly into Zach LaVine’s old starting spot. Since becoming a starter, Buzelis has averaged 11.9 points per night and started to flash some of the quick-twitch athleticism that convinced the Bulls to take him at pick 11.

Dropping out: Alexandre Sarr (3), Ryan Dunn (6), Quinten Post (10)