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Yves Missi’s adventure, from deciding in 21st place overall last June to leading the first Kia Rookie Ladder of 2025, may seem long and difficult.
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 he did in his only season at Baylor, and he wants six more blocks to go along with the 51 he had in 34 games there.
Additionally, Washington’s Alexandre Sarr worked his way up to the rung that suits him at his draft position and Memphis’ Zach Edey showed enough injury layoffs to crack the more sensible three-pointer again.
Spurs guard Stephon Castle, who held the No. 1 spot for two weeks, hit some speed bumps to slip 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 teams matter: Memphis’ potent offense has helped Edey top the rookies in plus/minus so far at plus-6.3. Meanwhile, Washington’s dreary 5-25 mark is captured in Alex Sarr’s minus-9.7 and Bub Carrington’s minus-11.2.
• More is rarely better: Memphis’ Jaylen Wells shot 7. 8 3-pointers per game last week, but shot 25. 8 percent. He made just 3. 7 2-point attempts per game. Their distribution until then was 4. 5 and 4. 4 percent respectively.
Battles for Ladder supremacy. That might be a carnival barker’s desperate ploy to get folks to watch the home-and-home battles between the Pelicans and the Wizards this weekend. Missi and Sarr, the top guys in this edition of the rookie rankings, are scheduled to match up in New Orleans on Friday and in 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 (game-consistent 3. 9), and double-doubles (7), and ranks third in blocks (1. 4). It doesn’t have an effect on the victory, however, it excites the other people of New Orleans. His teammate CJ McCollum said: “He probably surprised himself. . . From the first day he got here until now, he has been by night and by day.
2. Alexandre Sarr, Washington Wizards
Early evaluations of the Summer League highlighted Sarr’s mobility and defense, but also his problems with shooting. Well, the 7-footer shot 46. 1% from the floor and 45. 5% from three-point diversity in December, a big improvement from October/November (37. 6%, 24. 4%). Array Wizards coach Brian Keefe said, “Some other people are hesitant. “when they don’t. It wasn’t. One of the things we learned about him is how strong he is mentally.
3. Zach Edey, Memphis Grizzlies
But Edey’s 21 problems and 16 rebounds (nine offensive) in 27 minutes on Thursday were impressive. The big guy took a hit against New Orleans and missed the Grizzlies’ last two games because of the concussion protocol.
4. Stephon’s Castle, San Antonio Spurs
Its production and power fell from November to December, taking its rating with it. But his confidence may be boosted by the 15 points, 5-of-8 shooting, 4 rebounds and 4 assists he had in the Spurs’ 2024 finale, Tuesday’s blowout against 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
We finished a month with a week of 42. 9% from the arc (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 rolling Thunder, with 10-5-4 in his first start Saturday and 17 points the next night vs. Memphis.
10. Dalton Knecht, L.A. Lakers
Delighted with 18 points against the Kings before going 2-for-8 (0-for-5 of 3 points) against the Cavs
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Steve Aschburner has written about the NBA since 1980. You can e-mail him here, find his archive here and follow him on X.
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