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Yves Missi’s trek from being drafted at No. 21 overall last June to topping the first Kia Rookie Ladder of 2025 might seem a long and challenging one.
Until you realize how the New Orleans Pelicans big man has gone from this to this to that.
— New Orleans Pelicans (@PelicansNBA) December 31, 2024
From his birthplace in Brussels, Belgium, to his upbringing in Cameroon. Then from West Nottingham Academy in Colora, Md., and Prolific Prep in Napa, Calif., to a year at Baylor in Waco, Tex. Finally, Draft Night in Brooklyn, followed by this rookie season in New Orleans.
That’s a lot of ground to cover, literally and figuratively, for Missi. Now his baptism-under-fire season with the hapless Pelicans (1-19 in their last 20 of 2024), which didn’t stop him from climbing these rankings.
Missi has already grabbed more rebounds than in his season at Baylor and wants six more blocks to complete the 51 he managed in 34 games there.
Additionally, Washington’s Alexandre Sarr has worked his way up to his draft position and Memphis’ Zach Edey has shown enough injury losses to once again be a sensible No. 3.
Spurs goalkeeper Stephon Castle, who held the most sensitive position for two weeks, overcame some hurdles to move up to No. 4.
Here are all of this week’s Ladder updates:
• What this year’s Ladder lacks (compared to 2023-24) in franchise-altering prospects, it makes up for in volatility. Beyond the 3 numbers 1-2-3, the top five has evolved compared to last week and 8 of the 10 overall leaderboard starters have replaced their position.
• Good groups matter: Memphis’ potent offense has helped Edey lead rookies in plus/minus, with a plus-6. 3. Meanwhile, Washington’s dismal 5-25 record is captured by Alex Sarr’s minus-9. 7 and Bub Carrington’s minus-11. 2.
• Rarely more is better: Memphis’ Jaylen Wells made 7. 8 3-pointers per game last week but shot 25. 8 percent. He only made 3. 7 attempts from 2 points per game. Its distribution until then was 4. 5% and 4. 4% respectively.
Battles for the supremacy of the ladder. This may simply be a desperate ploy by a carnival crier to get other people to watch the domestic fights between the Pelicans and Wizards this weekend. Missi and Sarr, the most productive in this edition of the rookie rankings, are expected to meet in New Orleans on Friday and Washington D. C. on Sunday, their only meetings this season.
(All statistics as of Tuesday, December 31)
1. Yves Missi, New Orleans Pelicans
Missi leads the Class of 2024 in rebounds, offensive rebounds (3.9 per game) and double-doubles (7), and ranks third in blocks (1.4). He’s not impacting winning but he has folks in New Orleans excited. Said teammate CJ McCollum: “He’s probably surprised himself. … From the first day he got here to now has been night and day.”
2. Alexandre Sarr, Washington Wizards
Early assessments from Summer League noted Sarr’s mobility and defense, but also his shooting struggles. Well, the 7-footer shot 46.1% from the floor and 45.5% on 3-pointers, in December, vastly improved from October/November (37.6%, 24.4%). Said Wizards coach Brian Keefe: “Some people hesitate when they’re not making them. He was not. That’s one of the things that we’ve learned about him is how strong he is mentally.”
3. Zach Edey, Memphis Grizzlies
Okay, so he opposed the Raptors. But Edey’s 21 digs and 16 rebounds (nine offensive) in 27 minutes Thursday were impressive. The big man took a hit against New Orleans and missed the Grizzlies’ last two games due to concussion protocol.
4. Stephon’s Castle, San Antonio Spurs
His production and efficiency drooped across the board from November to December, taking his Ladder ranking with them. But his confidence might get a boost from the 15 points, 5-of-8 shooting, four boards and four assists he got in the Spurs’ 2024 finale, Tuesday’s blowout of the Clippers.
5. Jaylen Wells, Memphis Grizzlies
Not sure if this is causal or just coincidental, but when the second-rounder from Washington State scores 10 points or more, the Grizzlies are 18-3. When he doesn’t, they’re 5-8.
6. Zacharie Risacher, Atlanta Falcons
He finished a difficult month with 42. 9% archery luck (14/6) and 3 more wins.
7. Tristan Da Silva, Orlando Magic
Wrapped up calendar 2024 as plus-23 in a 102-101 win vs. the Nets, scoring 21 with six boards and seven assists.
8. Bub Carrington, Washington Wizards
Carrington left the court in a wheelchair Monday after hitting his head on a Knicks player’s knee. Tops rookies in minutes and assists.
9. Ajay Mitchell, Oklahoma City Thunder
Key contributions to the Thunder’s turnovers, going 10-5-4 in his first game as a starter on Saturday and 17 points the next night against Memphis.
10. Dalton Knecht, LA Lakers
Enraged with 18 points against the Kings before going 2-for-8 (0-for-5 on 3 points) against the Cavs.
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Steve Aschburner has been writing about the NBA since 1980. You can email him here, his archives here, and follow him on X.
The perspectives expressed on this page do not necessarily reflect those of the NBA, its clubs or Warner Bros. Discovery.