NBA Rookie of The Year (ROY) Rankings 2024-25: Top 5 candidates after Week 8 ft. Yves Missi
The 2024-25 NBA Rookie of the Year race has taken an interesting turn after Jared McCain's injury. Following Friday’s game against the Indiana Pacers, the Philadelphia 76ers announced that the rookie had suffered a tear in his left knee. He will undergo surgery to fix the issue, forcing the 76ers to sideline him indefinitely.
McCain sat at the top of the rankings for four weeks, but did he do enough to make it to the top for the fifth straight week? The ROY race has only gotten more exciting after week 8.
2024-25 NBA Rookie of the Year Power Rankings
#5 Yves Missi
Yves Missi has made a strong case as the best big man in a draft that includes Alex Sarr, Zach Edey and Donovan Clingan. The New Orleans Pelicans rookie finally makes his appearance in the top 5 of the NBA Rookie of the Year power rankings. Missi averaged 11.3 points, 13.3 rebounds and 1.3 blocks last week.
The former Baylor star was one of the brightest spots in the Pelicans’ struggles due to injuries to key players. Missi has become a force in the middle, flourishing in the spot previously owned by Jonas Valanciunas. The 6-foot-11 rookie deserves his spot in the top 5.
#4 Bub Carrington
Bub Carrington, who was placed fourth last week, moves a step closer to the top. The Washington Wizards rookie averaged 6.7 points, 7.3 rebounds and 2.3 assists last week. Carrington’s best game came against the Boston Celtics when he had 11 points, 10 rebounds, two assists and one block.
Carrington’s versatility remains his biggest asset. The Wizards have the worst record in the NBA, but their rookie has been impressive. He deserves the No. 1 spot in the Rookie of the Year power rankings.
#3 Jaylen Wells
Like Carrington, Jaylen Wells takes a step up in the NBA Rookie of the Year power rankings. The No. 39 pick in the 2024 draft had another unsung role in the Memphis Grizzlies’ 2-1 record last week. Wells averaged 8.0 points, 2,7 rebounds and 1.7 assists.
Grizzlies coach Taylor Jenkins’ roster is finally healthy, but Wells has locked down the small forward spot. Even if he sometimes struggles to score, Jenkins has relied on him to shadow their opponents’ best perimeter players.
#2 Stephon Castle
Stephon Castle played twice last week because a shoulder contusion caused him to miss one game. He averaged 12.0 points, 4.5 assists and 3.5 rebounds for the San Antonio Spurs.
In the win against Yves Missi and the Pelicans, Castle led the Spurs with 22 points, five rebounds and four assists. He also helped hound former Spur Dejounte Murray to 18 points on 6-for-20 shooting, including 1-for-7 from deep.
With McCain going down with an injury, Castle might pace the NBA Rookie of the Year rankings soon.
#1 Jared McCain
Jared McCain barely fended off Stephon Castle from taking over the No. 1 spot. McCain’s injury is brutal for the already injury-plagued Philadelphia 76ers and the freshman’s NBA Rookie of the Year campaign. The Sixers have not announced a definite timetable for his return.
McCain averaged 7.5 points and 3.5 assists per game in his last reign atop the rookie rankings.