NBA 2023/24 Rookie Rankings: February
As we come to the All-Star break we’re seeing a particular alien with an acute French accent start to put some distance between himself and the rest of the 2023/24 NBA rookie class. That doesn’t mean that the Rookie of the Year race is boring, though. Far from it, in fact.
In this edition of the Rookie Rankings, I had a tough time figuring out who to leave out of the top 10, with 13, perhaps even 14 first-year players more than worthy of recognition.
With that in mind, it’s worth remembering that availability is, to quote Danny Leroux, the best ability) is a considerable tiebreaker in these rankings (and that, like last month, a leading rookie misses out as a result) and that, as always, these rankings reflect play since our last edition in mid-January rather than the entire season to date.
- Victor Wembanyama – San Antonio Spurs (Last Ranking: 1)
Interestingly, since moving to the centre position on a full-time basis, Wembanyama’s rebounding numbers have dipped just a touch. Every other part of his game, though, has flourished. Over the past month we’ve seen an uptick in the phenom’s scoring and assist numbers to the point where he’s now averaging a 20/10 with over three assists a night, whilst of course leading the entire NBA in blocks.
As far as individual performances are concerned, I could highlight just about any game he plays in but his recent triple-double against the Raptors was historic.
We’ve already come to expect the blocks, the boards, and the elastic finishing around the rim. What I would like you to watch here, though, is Victor’s passing:
Lastly, I’ll leave you with this. Only four rookies in NBA history have averaged a 20/10 and not taken home the Rookie of the Year trophy: Elvin Hayes (1969), Clark Kellogg (1983), Akeem, as he was known then, Olajuwon (1985), and Alonzo Mourning (1993). The men who beat them? Wes Unseld, Terry Cummings, Michael Jordan and Shaquille O’Neal.
It’s going to take a mighty effort to top Wemby from here.
2. Brandon Miller – Charlotte Hornets (LR: 4)
You can count me amongst the disbelievers when the Charlotte Hornets selected Miller at pick two. It’s not that he’s not a serious talent, it’s simply that I was one of the many who thought that Scoot Henderson was simply better. Also, it’s the Hornets and it’s never wise to place too much faith in their front office.
On this occasion, though, they look to have nailed the pick. Miller has averaged 21.5 points on 59% true shooting since our last rookie check-in and has already become a genuine focal point on the court. He’s also reading NBA defensive schemes at a rate that is far more advanced than was expected.
Miller has also proven remarkably consistent for a rookie who faces high-level defense every night, only scoring in single digits on seven occasions this season.
3. Chet Holmgren – Oklahoma City Thunder (LR: 2)
There are going to be some people who are pretty steamed to see Chet at number three, but Miller has simply had a better past month. That’s no slight on Holmgren, who has continued to excel, especially defensively. In a game of fine margins, Holmgren’s late January slump is what has knocked him down a position this time around.
That said, Chet is still an evolving monster on the court. A defensive tyrant who is already a legitimate weapon from beyond the arc (40.9% since our last rankings, 39.3% on the season) with a little bit of a nasty streak to him, Chet would be the runaway Rookie of the Year leader if not for a generational talent playing in Texas.
4. Keyonte George – Utah Jazz (LR: 9)
Once again, Utah Jazz general manager Danny Ainge thinned out his rotation at the trade deadline, though with some of the youngsters coming though, it’s hard to blame him. Key amongst those talents is Keyonte George.
He’s now starting again, though it seems to make minimal difference to his play as he thrives no matter the role nor who he shares the backcourt with. Not a natural point guard, George has demonstrated remarkable improvements in his passing and reading of progressions, as well as his movement when he doesn’t have the rock.
Amongst a string of impressive performances, he was fantastic against the Warriors with a career-high 33 points, including nine treys, six assists, and three steals.
5. Brandin Podziemski – Golden State Warriors (LR: 5)
I’m writing the Podziemski section of these rookie rankings shortly after a most interesting occurrence: the rookie started over Klay Thompson. He played well, too: 13 points including three makes from beyond the arc, six boards, and eight assists against two turnovers in the win referenced above over Utah. That game came on the back of 25 points (a perfect 5/5 from deep), seven boards and eight assists against the Clippers.
When you’re producing on offense and you’re active on defense, you make it hard for your coach to sit you down. He’s up to 38.5% from deep, leads the Warriors in +/- on the season who plays the sort of heady game that Steve Kerr loves. Still yet to turn 21 (next week, in case you’re interested), the Dubs have themselves their two-guard of the next decade.
6. Cam Whitmore – Houston Rockets (LR: 7)
Whitmore has missed the past three games, but that doesn’t dampen the impact he has had since the calendar flipped into 2024. Since our last rookie rankings, the 20th overall pick (I’ve still no idea how he slipped so far – he was top six on my board) has put up a nightly 16.3 points and 4.6 boards on 50/43/69 shooting splits.
There might not be a better coach in the NBA for a player of Whitmore’s talent and
Importantly his weaknesses are that of Ime Udoka, who will give the rookie enough of a runway to do his thing whilst holding him 100% accountable.
7. Scoot Henderson – Portland Trailblazers (LR: 6)
It took a little time but Henderson has finally found his sea legs. At our last rookie check-in, Scoot was showing flashes of brilliance but was overall still a very inefficient offensive player. This time around, though, Scott is looking more and more the part of a future high-end lead guard.
There are still some utter stinkers in there: 3/16 from the floor at Denver; and a combined 11 of 30 in back-to-backs against the Thunder and Rockets. Balancing that are 22 points with a trio of triples against the Sixers, a couple of near triple doubles and an efficient 30-point gem against the Nuggets. He’s getting there, folks.
8. Ausar Thompson – Detroit Pistons (LR: Re-entry)
A victim of the muddle that is the Detroit Pistons and Monty Williams’ rotations, Thompson slipped out of these rankings in January after starting the season inside the top three. He’s back this month based on some solid performances off the bench, punctuated with the occasional standout game. That has seen him reinserted into the Pistons’ starting five, where he’s producing 11.8 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 1.8 steals since the move.
Folks, it’s likely not a coincidence that the Pistons won their first two games with the defensive wrecker that is Ausar Thompson, back in the starting unit.
9. Amen Thompson – Houston Rockets (LR: New entry)
It’s taken a little while, but Amen Thompson is starting to show us exactly why he was so highly regarded. Much like his twin brother, Thompson’s athleticism is off the charts. He’s an outstanding rebounder for his size. In his five games since being promoted to the starting unit, a nine-board effort against Toronto is Amen’s lowest total.
Much like his brother, Thompson is not too far off becoming a nightly 5×5 threat. The pair of them could be literally anything they choose to be on a basketball court (bar a shooting threat) and remind me of a young Andrei Kirilenko, only more athletic.
Prior to the Thompsons making their debuts there had only been five sets of twins to play NBA basketball. Ausar and Amen have the chance to be the best of them, ahead of the Van Arsdale’s who have six All-Star games between them.
10. Dereck Lively II – Dallas Mavericks (LR: Re-entry)
After missing the January rookie rankings due to injury, Lively came ever so close to missing out again this month. The eagle-eyed amongst you will have noticed that Jaime Jaquez Jr isn’t in these rankings; it’s for the same reason that Lively missed out in January. To be crystal clear, here, when on the floor they’re both top-five rookies. But, crucially, you have to be on the floor.
Dallas did make a move at the deadline, picking up Wizards pogo stick Daniel Gafford, who is essentially a further realised version of Liveley. It will be fascinating to watch how Jason Kidd splits their minutes once Lively returns from his latest injury.
Dropping out: Jaime Jaquez Jr, Trayce Jackson-Davis, Duop Reath
