Let’s just get something out of the way: It’s really hard to evaluate rookies this early in their professional careers!
Players are still trying to find their role in the league and adjusting to the experience of playing against the toughest competition in the world. Coaches are still hoping to figure out the best to utilize these guys, many of whom are still very raw.
But we still wanted to have a baseline evaluation of the rookies we have seen so far, even if it might look a bit strange. Before you get too upset, though, let’s offer a quick reminder. Per ESPN’s Kevin Pelton, the NBA’s Rookie of the Year almost always goes to the first-year player who had the highest total combination of points, rebounds and assists per game.
During the preseason, that player was (obviously) Victor Wembanyama.
Our list doesn’t follow that model, but it may look a bit spicy due to some notable players being excluded. It is worth noting, though, that six of the 10 players we highlighted ranked in the top 10 among rookies in that very basic points/rebounds/assists formula.
Average it out to productivity per 36 minutes and then filter out everyone except for the 30 players who logged the most minutes and you will find eight of the following players.
Our rankings do, however, give more weight to scoring efficiency and turnovers. We also accounted for defensive metrics like blocks, steals and fouls. These are all important measures of impact on a basketball court.
You may be surprised to not find players like Miller or Henderson but both were still figuring out the kinks. That doesn’t mean they won’t get on here in the regular season once they find their rhythm. This is not predictive of their future success but rather an assessment of where they are at this moment.
But during preseason, for example, Henderson led all rookies in turnovers and personal fouls committed. Miller, meanwhile, had an effective field-goal percentage of below 40.0 percent (the league average was at 54.5 percent last season). It’s worth acknowledging, though, that they do have tougher roles on their teams than some of their competition.
Otherwise, here is how we would rank the upcoming rookies based on their play during the preseason:
1
Victor Wembanyama
Without hyperbole, Spurs rookie Victor Wembanyama has already changed the way our brains understand basketball. He led all rookies in the preseason with 19.3 points and 2.8 blocks per game but the highlights are somehow far more impressive.
He was nearly impossible to stop when scoring while near the basket, per Synergy, shooting 12-of-15 (80.0 percent) at the rim. He impressed with the ball in his hands and when shoots jumpers off the dribble as well. Wemby is officially must-watch television whenever he is near a basketball.
2
Chet Holmgren
For as good as Wembanyama was during the preseason, we can’t gloss over how well Oklahoma City’s Chet Holmgren played. After missing all of last season due to injury, the big man came out of the gates swinging. He scored 16.3 points per game while adding 2.0 blocks per game on defense.
Holmgren was more efficient than Wembanyama, shooting 6-of-12 (50.0 percent) on 3-pointers and immediately looking like one of the best pick-and-pop threats in the league. There is a lot to love about his intensity as well as his competitive edge.
3
Julian Strawther
Perhaps the most unexpected surprise of the entire preseason was the stellar play of Nuggets rookie Julian Strawther. Strawther averaged 17.8 points for Denver while leading all first-year players in 3-pointers made (3.5) per game.
Strawther was truly a stellar option when shooting after handoffs and ball screens and showed a bit of his floater game as well. He likely earned a spot in the rotation for the defending champions.
4
Bilal Coulibaly
Another play who was outstanding during the preseason was Washington’s Bilal Coulibaly. He was a defensive menace who recorded 2.8 steals per game, which was an outstanding effort from the lottery pick. In fact, he had the most steals (11) from a rookie during preseason action since two-time All-Defensive wing Matisse Thybulle.
Coulibaly used his length and athleticism to defend well at the point of attack and on the perimeter, taking on tough assignments and rising to the occasion despite the fact he is just 19 years old.
5
Cam Whitmore
After falling to pick No. 20 overall in the 2023 NBA Draft, Houston’s Cam Whitmore has played well in the pros. He won Summer League MVP in Las Vegas and then continued that momentum during the preseason.
During a loss against the Spurs, he tallied 17 points with six rebounds, six steals (!), two assists and one block. Although it didn’t count, he also showed his unbelievable vertical bounce with the best dunk of the preseason. When he was on the court, the Rockets outscored opponents by 25.9 points per 100 possessions. That was the best among the 49 rookies who played the most during the preseason.
6
Amen Thompson
Houston’s Amen Thompson showed genuine flashes of greatness during the preseason. He averaged a diverse 11.6 points, 4.4 rebounds, 3.2 assists and 1.2 steals per game. He distributed well in a set offense and has done a great job of cutting to the basket when he is off the ball.
Thompson was the leader among rookies in points scored in the paint, which is encouraging. The 20-year-old rookie led all first in completing second-chance scoring opportunities as well. Only his twin brother, Ausar, drew more personal fouls. Although his jumper wasn’t falling, his form looked far better than many expected to see from the former Overtime Elite standout.
7
Ausar Thompson
Detroit’s Ausar Thompson came out of the gates looking strong, averaging 11.8 points with 9.3 rebounds and 2.8 assists per game. He was one of just four NBA rookies to record a double-double during the preseason. Even dating back to his first game during the NBA 2K24 Summer League, he has grabbed at least eight rebounds in each game.
Thompson wasn’t able to score efficiently and was particularly inefficient at the rim. The good news, though, is that his jumper was connecting at a high level and he shot 40.0 percent on his 3-pointers. The former Overtime Elite star also led all rookies in personal fouls drawn during the preseason.
8
Colby Jones
Sacramento’s Colby Jones performed like an NBA-ready contributor during the preseason, adding legitimate value on both sides of the ball. During his final game of the preseason, he managed to record 19 points (7-of-13 FG, 5-of-8 3P) with three rebounds, two assists and three steals.
9
Andre Jackson Jr.
After winning a national championship at UConn last season, Andre Jackson Jr. had a strong preseason for the Bucks. He averaged 15.3 points with 10.4 rebounds, 4.4 assists and 3.0 steals per 36 minutes for Milwaukee. Even if it is hard for him to crack the rotation for the title contenders, Jackson showed he has what it takes to eventually make his name known around the NBA.
10
Brandin Podziemski
It won’t be easy for Brandin Podziemski to find minutes in the rotation for Golden State and he may get more opportunity in the G League at certain points of the season. But how could you watch Podziemski during the preseason and not find yourself impressed?
He was one of just four NBA rookies to record a double-double, notching 10 assists against the Lakers. Not only is he distributing the ball well but he is among the leaders in rookie guards when it comes to points scored in the paint. He finished the majority of his possessions as the ball handler in pick-and-roll sets he had the second-highest pure point rating among qualified NBA rookies.
HONORABLE MENTIONS
Dereck Lively III (Mavericks)
Leonard Miller (Timberwolves)
Toumani Camara (Trail Blazers)
Hunter Tyson (Nuggets)
Trayce Jackson-Davis (Warriors)
