The Draft 2024 cuvée knew that succeeding the duo Victor Wembanyama – Chet Holmgren would not be easy, and the trend is confirmed after the first part of the season. This promotion, expected less endowed with large talents, is struggling to stand out. The fight for the title of Rookie of the year is all the more indecisive. And she could top a tricolor for the second season, with Alex Sarr.
The interior of the Wizards has recovered well from a complicated Summer League, in particular the shooting, and temporarily leads the dance of our hierarchy. Well installed in Washington's five starting five, he confirms his defensive predispositions, whether in the last curtain or by his side mobility. He is the only rookie to appear in the top 10 averages of a large statistical category with his 1.6 against per game, 9th in the league in the same spheres as Jaren Jackson Jr, Goga Bitadze or Daniel Gafford.
A first for eight years?
Rookie in December, number 2 of the last draft had shown pretty progress at the address (46% in shooting, 45% at 3-point), before entering the rank in January. With 11.7 points, 6.8 rebounds and 2.2 medium assists, Alex Sarr would be the first Roy since Malcolm Brogdon in 2017 to receive the award by turning at less than 15 points on average, only the second time in the 21st century With Malcolm Brogdon and Mike Miller (2001).
Favorite until mid-December, the rear of the Sixers Jared McCain would have been the only one who could exceed this bar (15.3 points on average), even if it had been well helped by the numerous absences in the workforce of Philadelphia. But the former Duke scorter also joined the infirmary and will no longer replay the season.
Behind, they are little to reach the ten medium units, symbol of a promotion for the moment not very visible statistically … at least in appearance.
A promotion without gondola head, not without talent
By taking a step back, the observation is less categorical. 14 Rookies – Among those who played more than half of the matches – are empowered with more than 20 minutes on average per game. The same total as two years ago, barely less than in previous exercises (16 last season, 17 in 2020-2021 and 2019-2020). And several players flirting with this average playing time could take advantage of an end of the season without a collective issue to inflate their figures like Ja'kobe Walter in Toronto, Kyle Filipowski in Utah, even Donovan Clingan If Portland resumes the hierarchy of its pivots by the Trade Deadline.
Behind Alexandre Sarr, several candidates for solid files can hope to upset the hierarchy. Jaylen Wellsdrafted only 39eno longer leaves the starting five of the Grizzlies and brings a precious contribution to the outdoor shoot (11.9 points at 39 % at 3-point, 13.4 points at 44.6 % from afar in January) to one of the best teams west. Among the Spurs, Stephon Castle (11.6 points, 3.6 assists, 2.5 rebounds) resumes gallon lately, with its three consecutive games to more than 20 points for his return as a holder. As of Yves Missi (9.1 points and 8.32 rebounds), a number one time of This race for NBA.comhe logically seems to mark the step a little more, while the Pelicans have found some living forces.
The race already seems a little too advanced on the other hand for Zaccharie Risacher. The Frenchman, number one from the Draft, is unbeatable of the Hawks' starting five -before injuring himself -, but with a secondary role, and a fluctuating address (40.3 %, 28.1 % 3 -point) for which was however expected in Georgia.
This observation also applies to other interesting beginners but too far for different reasons (regularity, weight in their franchise): Dalton Knecht (Lakers), Bub Carrington (Wizards), Zach Edey (Grizzlies), Tristan da Silva (Magic), even Kel'el Ware (Heat) …
