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San Antonio Spurs goaltender Stephon Castle retained the top spot, but the top five narrowed with Yves Missi, Jaylen Wells, Alex Sarr and Zach Edey all generating upward momentum in a week of gains.
The Class of 2024’s leading scorer is no longer here: Philadelphia’s Jared McCain is retiring due to surgery on a torn meniscus that severely cut him short and likely ended his promising season.
Unlike other NBA awards, there is no minimum number of games played to win the Kia Rookie of the Year award. But it’s tempering that 23 McCain went on the books before his injury wasn’t enough. Zion Williamson recorded 24 in 2019-20 and finished a remote third in the voting behind winner Ja Morant and runner-up Kendrick Nunn.
Here’s a look at the existing crop of recruits:
• That key matchup we were expecting last week between the No. 1 pick in the draft and the No. 1 pick in the ladder?Atlanta’s Zacharie Risacher scored nine points on 4-of-13 shooting and minus 1 in the Hawks’ overtime loss Thursday at San Antonio. Castle’s team won, but had seven problems with 3 of 10 shots and -16 in 20 minutes.
• Toronto has its own scale, with 4 beginners getting minutes of spin. We’ve already noticed Jonathan Mogbo and Jamal Shead in the Ladder, and Ja’Kobe Walter makes his debut this week. I’m still waiting for Jamison Battle in the Raptors. ‘Season of shameless reconstruction (7-23).
• The Christmas roster features a preview or more of several rookies, adding Castle, Dalton Knecht of the Lakers and Ryan Dunn and Oso Ighodaro of the Suns. Meanwhile, McCain was reportedly at TD Garden against the Boston Celtics.
The Wall. Some seem to have already revered him. Others might find a way through or around it. But it is the point on each season’s schedule at which a recruit equals or exceeds the total number of games he played last season in college or elsewhere. Keep an eye on your favorite newcomers to see if they’re down, physically or mentally, as the NBA season enters its third full month.
(All statistics as of Monday, December 23)
1. Stephon Castle, San Antonio Spurs
Castle’s running presence and defense keep him at the top of his game despite the offensive inconsistency. He shot worse in December than in November and, with an overall score of 38. 9%, is behind the ROY winners. The only trophy winner since 1958 to shoot less than 40% was Jason Kidd in 1995, who shared the ROY with Grant Hill after helping Dallas to its overall victory in 23.
2. Yves Missi, New Orleans Pelicans
Missi had his fingerprints all over the Pelicans’ exciting but unsuccessful overtime loss to Denver on Sunday. He had 21 points on 9-of-12 shooting, nine rebounds and three blocks, including a swat of Nikola Jokić’s layup with a minute left in the extra session. At the end, like so many veterans, Missi couldn’t properly execute an intentional free throw miss. He’s progressing through all the losing.
3. Jaylen Wells, Memphis Grizzlies
Wells has 25 games; The rest of the second-round players in the 2024 Elegance have a total of 15. He is the only second-round player to average more than 6. 4 points and ranks third overall among rookies. It also has the most productive plus/minus overall (107).
4. Alexandre Sarr, Washington Wizards
One of the good things about rookies is, if you’re unhappy with something, give ‘em time. Sarr shot 37% overall and 24.4% from deep through November, but he’s hitting 45.6% and 42.9% this month.
5. Zach Edey, Memphis Grizzlies
The big Grizzly is climbing back toward the top after a week in which he averaged 7.0 points, 9.3 boards and 1.3 blocks. He also earned respect points for not backing down vs. Warriors irritant Draymond Green.
6. Zacharie Risacher, Atlanta Falcons
If starting in the NBA as the top pick in his class was one dream, playing for the French national team is the next. “Every competitor wants to win medals for their country,” he said recently.
7. Bub Carrington, Washington Wizards
He scored 14 points on 4-of-8 from the arc on Monday against OKC, leaving early with an obvious upper-body injury.
8. Tristan da Silva, Orlando Magic
Addressing the Magic’s injury void, he came through with 18 points and a 3-pointer in the W’s game against Boston on Monday.
9. Ajay Mitchell, Oklahoma City Thunder
Good news: the overcomer contributes to the victory. Bad news: He’s already played more than a portion (28) of the 50 games allowed for the guys’ two-way contracts.
10. Ja’Kobe Walter, Toronto Raptors
Walter is the latest of the Raptors’ kiddie corps to grab a rung after averaging 16.7 points on 11.0 shots and 25.7 minutes last this.
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Steve Aschburner has been writing about the NBA since 1980. You can email him here, his archive here, and follow him on X.
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