NBA Rookie Rankings 1.0: 76ers’ Jared McCain out for early lead over Zach Edey, Dalton Knecht and more

On By Littum

The 2024 rookie class should be a weak one. That has been the case early this season.

Last year, seven freshmen averaged at least 11.7 points per game. It is the high water mark for this class, set by no. 1 pick Zachary Risacher.

While the top of this class hasn’t exactly set the world on fire, there have been some great stories. There are already some stolen ones appearing that were picked outside the lottery. Four of them make up the top seven of these rookie rankings.

Here’s how this rookie class is shaping up.

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Jared McCain

NBA Rookie Rankings 1.0

1. Jared McCain, Sixers

Statistics: 11.5 PTS, 2.1 REB, 1.5 AST, 45.6% FG, 35.9% 3PT

Best Game: 27 PTS, 3 REB, 2 AST (Nov. 10 vs. CHO)

McCain has been shockingly good for the Sixers, emerging as the team’s second-best player behind Tyrese Maxey while Joel Embiid and Paul George have been out. He’s been a good shooter, draining 3s with a quick release. His ability to get to the rim at high volume has been a pleasant surprise. He’s also shown far more shotmaking craft in the pros than at Duke.

McCain has been on a particular tear in his last three games, averaging 22.7 points per game. He has combined that bench scoring with great effort defensively, making up for his 6-3 height.

McCain was taken with number 16. He looks like a steal for the Sixers.

2. Zach Edey, Grizzlies

Statistics: 11.2 PTS, 6.6 REB, 0.9 BLK, 64.6% FG

Best Game: 25 PTS, 12 REB, 4 BLK (Nov. 4 vs. BRK)

Edey has been an extremely efficient scorer and a great rebounder. He started nine of the Grizzlies’ first 11 games, making an immediate impact in the league. His sheer 7-4 size has translated, making him a handful to handle when he gets the ball inside. The left shoulder hook that he relied on so much from his college days still works flawlessly in the NBA.

Edey’s shooting has been a bit of a shock. He has hit 4-of-7 from deep after not being much of an outside shooter at Purdue. He’s had some early foul trouble that he’s starting to clean up, but has otherwise been a solid rookie.

MORE: What NBA Draft Analysts Missed About Edey’s Unique Potential

3. Ryan Dunn, Suns

Statistics: 7.0 PTS, 2.3 REB, 48.2% FG, 39.5% 3PT

Best Game: 16 PTS, 4 REB, 1 STL (October 31 vs LAC)

Dunn was supposed to be a defensive prospect who couldn’t shoot. It has not been like that at all.

Dunn has been one of the team’s more reliable 3-point threats, hitting more 3s (15-of-38) through his first 10 NBA games than he did in two years (12-of-51) in Virginia. Along with his good defense (he’s one of the few rookies who hasn’t been obliterated by DeMar DeRozan), he looks like a nice 3-and-D wing.

4. Yves Missi, Pelicans

Statistics: 6.6 PTS, 5.9 REB, 1.5 AST, 1.5 BLK

Best Game: 17 PTS, 11 REB, 1 STL, 1 BLK (November 11 vs. BRK)

Missi is a fantastic athlete who has been able to get up and finish lobs while blocking everything in sight on the defensive end of the floor. He is more than just a dunk guy on offense, showing some good post moves and the ability to put the ball on the floor.

For a prospect who was considered raw and only started playing basketball five years ago, Missi has been much more polished than expected.

MORE: Latest news, updates on Zion Williamson’s hamstring injury

5. Zachary Risacher, Hawks

Statistics: 11.7 PTS, 4.0 REB, 1.3 AST

Best Game: 33 PTS, 7 REB, 3 AST, 3 STL, 2 BLK (Nov. 6 vs. NYK)

Risacher has been up and down so far this year. He has had six games with eight or fewer points and four games with 15 or more.

His shots aren’t falling yet—he’s hit just 37.2 percent of his field goals, 24.6 percent of his 3s and 62.2 percent of his free throws—and his finishing has been ugly at timesbut he has done most of the other things on the floor that were expected of him. That includes playing good defense and throwing some smart passes.

6. Bub Carrington, Wizards

Statistics: 9.6 PTS, 4.4 REB, 5.1 AST

Best Game: 10 PTS, 10 REB, 8 AST (Nov. 8 vs. MEM)

Carrington has been a good scorer and distributor for the Wizards. He is able to make shots from all three levels of the floor and he has shown an ability to run pick-and-rolls. The fact that he can read the game so well at the age of 19 is impressive.

7. Jaylen Wells, Grizzlies

Statistics: 11.4 PTS, 3.3 REB, 1.6 AST, 42.5% FG, 39.2% 3PT

Best Game: 20 PTS, 3 REB, 1 STL (November 6 vs LAL)

The Grizzlies have been besieged by injuries again, and that has given Wells a chance to shine. Choice no. 39 has outplayed several of his peers in the lottery,

Wells is a wing who has been able to knock down shots, spread the floor and make plays on defense. He was a late bloomer and he is not an A+ athlete, which resulted in him being overlooked by many teams.

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Alexandre Sarr

Honorable mentions

Jonathan Mogbo, Raptors: Mogbo is a fantastic athlete who finds a way to make things happen on both ends of the floor. His game is still a little unpolished, but he has shown flashes of playmaking. The energy went forward with election no. 31. He would be a debutant today.

Alexandre Sarr, Wizards: Sarr has been a good defender, blocking 2.4 shots per game. match and skillfully switches to multiple positions while not fouling much. It has been a struggle on offense, where he is shooting just 33.0 percent from the field and 18.6 percent from 3.

Donovan Clingan, Blazers: Clingan has been as good as advertised defensively, blocking 1.6 shots per game. match. Minutes have been hard to come by with the return of Deandre Ayton and Robert Williams III. Clingan has only had an average of 14.5 per match.

Ajay Mitchell, Thunder: Mitchell is a solid player on both ends of the floor. He has been a steady presence when he has played, setting up his teammates well and knocking down his shots.

Dalton Knecht, Lakers: Knecht had some solid games early, with an 18-point performance against the Cavs on Oct. 30. After a promising preseason, he simply hasn’t hit enough shots. He shoots 38.6 percent from the field and 28.9 percent from 3.

Kyshawn George, Wizards: George is a great defensive wing who might be able to play on the line.

MORE: The former NBA star breaks down Bronny James’ biggest problem

Rookie Stats and Leaders

For comprehensive rookie leaderboards, see daily updated rookie stats here.

Player Average
Points Zachary Risacher 11.7 PPG
Rebounds Zach Edey 6.6 RPG
Assisting Bub Carrington 5.1 APG
Steals Bub Carrington 1.4 SPG
Block Alex Sarr 2.4 GDP