Honestly, looking back at the 2023-24 season, the "Weak Draft" label people tried to slap on this group feels pretty ridiculous now. Remember those early scouting reports? Everyone was saying if you didn't get the first pick, you were basically just drafting "guys." Then Victor Wembanyama showed up and broke the sport, Chet Holmgren played like a ten-year vet, and a bunch of late-round picks started looking like foundational pieces.
By the time the final NBA rookie rankings 2024 settled, we weren't just looking at one superstar. We were looking at a shift in how the league views size and versatility.
The Two-Horse Race That Wasn't Really Close
Let's just be real for a second. The Rookie of the Year race was basically a heavyweight bout between two guys who look like they were built in a lab to play basketball in the year 2050. On one side, you had Victor Wembanyama. On the other, Chet Holmgren.
Wemby’s stats were just stupid. 21.4 points, 10.6 rebounds, and a league-leading 3.6 blocks per game. He didn't just win the rookie blocks title; he led the entire NBA. There were games where he’d block a three-pointer, sprint the length of the floor, and finish with a Euro-step dunk. You can't even do that in a video game without the physics engine glitching.
Chet Holmgren was the efficiency king, though. Playing for a winning Oklahoma City Thunder team meant he couldn't just hunt stats. He had to fit into a system. He shot over 53% from the field and 37% from deep while playing all 82 games. Most rookies hit a wall around February. Chet just kept going.
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The main difference? Usage. Wemby was the system in San Antonio. Chet was a vital part of a machine in OKC. Both are incredible, but Victor’s ceiling is somewhere in the stratosphere.
Why Brandon Miller Shut Everyone Up
Remember the draft night groans? When the Hornets took Brandon Miller over Scoot Henderson, the internet collectively lost its mind. Well, people were wrong. Miller turned out to be exactly what Charlotte needed: a smooth, 6'9" wing who can create his own shot.
He averaged 17.3 points and showed a level of poise that’s rare for a 21-year-old. He isn't just a "3-and-D" guy. He's a three-level scorer. By March, he was routinely dropping 20+ points and carrying an injury-riddled Hornets roster.
The Heat Culture Steal
Then there's Jaime Jaquez Jr. in Miami.
Basically, he’s a 23-year-old rookie who plays like he’s 30.
No speed? No problem.
He used footwork and "old man" post moves to carve up defenses.
The Heat found another one.
He averaged nearly 12 points a game and became a fixture in Erik Spoelstra’s closing lineups, which is basically impossible for a rookie to do in Miami unless they are special.
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The Mid-Tier Risers and Role Players
If you look at the NBA rookie rankings 2024 beyond the top three, you find the real depth of this class. Brandin Podziemski in Golden State is a perfect example. He didn't have the highest scoring average (9.2 PPG), but he led all rookies in charges drawn. He’s a "winning plays" guy. Steve Kerr trusted him over veterans late in games because he simply doesn't make mistakes.
Derek Lively II in Dallas was another massive win. He became the vertical spacer Luka Doncic has been dreaming about since he arrived in Texas. Lively’s impact wasn't always on the box score, but his rim protection and lob-finishing were massive reasons why the Mavs turned their season around.
Surprises and Disappointments
- GG Jackson (Grizzlies): The youngest player in the league and he’s dropping 14.6 points a game? Wild. Memphis found a diamond in the second round.
- Keyonte George (Jazz): Passing was way better than advertised. He struggled with efficiency (39% FG), but the playmaking vision is legit.
- Scoot Henderson (Blazers): Kinda a rough start. He struggled with the pace and size of the NBA early on, though he did show flashes of that elite athleticism in the second half of the year.
Stat Comparison: The Top Five (Final 2023-24 Season)
To really get why these NBA rookie rankings 2024 look the way they do, you have to see the production side-by-side. It wasn't just about points; it was about how they impacted winning and where they spent their time on the floor.
Victor Wembanyama put up 21.4 PPG, 10.6 RPG, and 3.9 APG. He was the only rookie to average a double-double. Chet Holmgren followed with 16.5 PPG, 7.9 RPG, and 2.3 BPG. He was far more efficient, shooting nearly 10% better than Victor from the floor early in the season. Brandon Miller sat at 17.3 PPG and 4.3 RPG, while Jaime Jaquez Jr. provided 11.9 PPG and 3.8 RPG. Rounding out the top tier, Keyonte George managed 13.0 PPG and 4.4 APG, leading all rookies in assists.
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What Most People Get Wrong
The biggest misconception about the 2024 rookie class was that it was a "one-man show." While Wemby is the generational talent, the depth of starting-caliber players is actually higher than the 2022 draft. We saw guys like Amen Thompson in Houston provide elite defense and rebounding (6.6 RPG) despite not having a jump shot yet. His twin, Ausar, was doing the same in Detroit before his season was cut short.
These guys aren't just prospects anymore; they are rotation pieces on good teams.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Bettors
If you’re following these players into their sophomore seasons, here is what you need to keep an eye on:
- Watch the Shooting Splits: For guys like Scoot Henderson and Amen Thompson, the jump from "non-shooter" to "respectable" is the difference between being an All-Star and a bench piece.
- Wemby's Workload: The Spurs started playing him at center more often late in the season. That’s where his value skyrockets. If they get a real point guard (which they did in the 2024 draft with Stephon Castle), his efficiency is going to explode.
- The "Sophomore Slump" Trap: Jaime Jaquez Jr. and Brandin Podziemski rely on IQ and "surprising" teams. Now that there is a full year of film on them, they’ll have to evolve.
- Health Patterns: Chet Holmgren played every single game. That durability is a massive asset in a league where "load management" is the norm.
The 2024 rookie class didn't just meet expectations—it redefined what we expect from first-year players. We aren't just looking at the future of the NBA; we’re looking at the guys who are already taking over.