Grizzlies’ Edey takes No. 1 after 2 weeks

On By Littum

The first two weeks of the 2024-25 NBA season are in the books as players and teams settle in for another year that is expected to be filled with plenty of entertaining basketball.

The early action has given the rookie class its first taste of playing in the NBA, and the results have been mixed. Several notable players have struggled at times, while others have gotten off to a solid start and have dazzled through their first 6-8 games with their respective teams.

To make sense of it all, we looked at the best recent performances of these first-year players and ranked them in the Rookie Wire Power Rankings. The rankings are not for the purpose of Rookie of the Year, but to illustrate the best players week to week.

10. Kyshawn George, Washington Wizards

Statistics: 7.7 points, 4.2 rebounds, 2.7 assists, 1.3 blocks and one steal

George seems to be settling in late after scoring in double figures in two of his last three games. He’s fresh off a 20-point performance on Monday in a loss to the Warriors that drew some praise from Draymond Green afterward. He is one of two rookies with a 20-point game and will look to build on that effort after starting the last three games for the Wizards.

9. Dalton Knecht, Los Angeles Lakers

Statistics: 7.3 points, 1.3 rebounds and one assist

Knecht has scored in double figures twice off the bench for the Lakers in seven appearances. He has provided a spark for coach JJ Redick at times and has had some solid moments early on. The 17th pick even drew praise from Hall of Famer Charles Barkley, who called him a steal after his opening night debut.

8. Jamal Shead, Toronto Raptors

Statistics: 6.6 points, 4.8 assists and 1.1 rebounds

Shead is proving himself at a high level early with the Raptors. He has been a threat in defense at times, pulling tough assignments and has looked very comfortable on the field through eight games. He is finding success and has settled in well in Toronto due to his infectious style of play and willingness to do the dirty work.

7. Yves Missi, New Orleans Pelicans

Statistics: 5.8 points, 6.1 rebounds, 1.9 assists and 1.4 blocks

Missi has played a big role to start the season where the Pelicans have lost several players to injuries. He ranks third in rebounds and blocks among rookies and has started the last three games averaging four points, 7.7 rebounds and two assists over that span. The Pelicans have been pleased with his offensive activity and rim protection early on and believe it will only improve the more he plays.

6. Zachary Risacher, Atlanta Hawks

Statistics: 9.4 points, 3.1 rebounds and 1.1 assists

The No. 1 pick has scored in double figures four times and is one of seven rookies to score at least 15 points and five rebounds in a game this season. He has been mostly ineffective at the start of the year, but the team has been encouraged by how he is playing when the shots might not be falling. His teammates have encouraged him to let it fly and hope it will only be a matter of time before he can shoot consistently.

Statistics: 9.8 points, 3.8 rebounds and 1.9 assists

The Grizzlies are once again dealing with injuries to several key players, prompting head coach Taylor Jenkins to turn to Wells early this season. He is third in the rookie class in minutes and has started the last three games, averaging 12.3 points, 5.7 rebounds and two assists over that span.

The 39th pick solidified his spot as the next player after dazzling in the preseason with his offensive and defensive intensity. The team demands a lot from him initially, and the former Washington State standout is proving he should be in the rotation.

4. Alex Sarr, Washington Wizards

Statistics: 9.8 points, seven rebounds, 2.8 blocks and 1.7 assists

Sarr is on a defensive tear to begin the season and recently joined elite company in that department with his latest performance. The 7-footer is one of four rookies to record multiple blocks in each of their first six games, along with David Robinson (1989), Shaquille O’Neal (1992) and Shawn Bradley (1993). He can record the second-longest streak with another similar effort on Friday.

The second pick currently leads the rookie class in rebounds and blocks and is tied for the fourth-most blocked shots among all players (17). He has been ineffective at times early on, though he has made up for it on the defensive end of the field. The team believed he could step in immediately and break through defensively, and the Frenchman has shown that ability at a high level.

3. Ryan Dunn, Phoenix Suns

Statistics: 6.7 points and 2.4 rebounds

Dunn is off to a great start this season and is making a significant impact on both ends of the court for the Suns, who are 6-1. He’s already made two starts with some players nursing injuries and averaged 14.5 points and 2.5 rebounds on 46.7% shooting from 3-point range in those two games. He became the seventh rookie in franchise history to start a home opener.

The 28th pick has also dazzled on defense. Tasked with guarding the likes of Luka Dončić, James Harden and LeBron James over four games to start the year, he held that trio to 31.3% shooting from the field as their primary defender. Needless to say, Dunn is getting praise from teammates and should be ready for a prominent role this season.

2. Bub Carrington, Washington Wizards

Statistics: 10.3 points, 4.8 assists and 4.3 rebounds

Carrington has emerged as one of the best rookies through the first two weeks of the season on a team that starts two other first-year players in Sarr and George. In fact, their starting lineup, which consists of Jordan Poole and Bilal Coulibaly alongside their trio of rookies, is the youngest in franchise history since the league began tracking starters in 1970 (21.06 years old).

Since overcoming a minor ankle injury on opening night, Carrington has averaged 11.8 points, 5.4 assists, 4.6 rebounds and one steal over his last five games. He has impressed his teammates and coaches with his competitiveness and intensity, something the 19-year-old hopes can help transform the Wizards on the court and in the win-loss column. He’s off to a good start.

1. Zach Edey, Memphis Grizzlies

Statistics: 11.1 points and 6.5 rebounds

Edey is fresh off his best performance, producing 25 points, 12 rebounds and four blocks on 9-of-10 shooting from the field on Monday in a loss to the Nets. He stayed the seventh rookie in history to record at least 25 points and 10 rebounds in a game on 90% shooting or better from the field. He leads the rookie class in scoring, averaging 11.1 points on 64.5% shooting from the field.

The ninth pick started the year battling foul trouble, making 4.7 per game. match over his first three appearances. He has lowered that figure to two per game in his last five outings, which has allowed him to play longer and make a bigger impact on the field. He has scored in double figures in four straight games and is starting to establish himself as a lottery pick with the Grizzlies.