NBA Rookie of The Year (ROY) Rankings 2024-25: Top 5 candidates after Week 2 ft. Jaylen Wells
The 2024-25 NBA Rookie of the Year race is shaping up to be an intriguing one. Last season, Victor Wembanyama and Chet Holmgren made it a two-way battle from start to finish. This year’s draft class isn’t following the same script as surprises have dominated the first two weeks of the competition.
Reed Sheppard, one of the favorites to win the ROY award, has hardly seen action for the Houston Rockets. Zaccharie Risacher has shown flashes of his abilities for the Atlanta Hawks but is shooting 31.4%, including 21.9% from deep. A few unheralded names have sprung to take their plays in the weekly power rankings.
2024-25 NBA Rookie of the Year Power Rankings
#5 Tristan da Silva
Orlando Magic coach Jamahl Mosley inserted rookie Tristan da Silva into the starting lineup in their game against the Dallas Mavericks on Sunday. Mosley decided to do that after Silva’s impressive outing versus the Cleveland Cavaliers two nights earlier.
The Magic were 0-2 last week, but the Brazilian played well. He averaged 12.0 points, 5.0 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 0.5 blocks in two games. Da Silva makes 53.3% of his shots, including 57.1% from deep.
Mosley is looking for answers following the injury of franchise cornerstone Paolo Banchero. Tristan da Silva isn’t replacing Banchero’s numbers but is helping carry the team while the former No. 1 pick recovers from a torn right oblique.
#4 Ryan Dunn
Ryan Dunn has been turning heads in the NBA with his shooting. He is hitting 46.2% of his shots, including 39.3% from deep. Dunn spreads the floor for the Phoenix Suns on the court.
Last week, Dunn helped the Suns to a 3-0 record, not only with his offense. He has also shown signs of becoming a good defender. Suns coach Mike Budenholzer has leaned on him to shadow their opponent's best perimeter player.
#3 Alex Sarr
Alex Sarr helped the Washington Wizards to a 2-1 record last week. During that stretch, he averaged 11.7 points, 6.7 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 3.3 blocks per game. The Frenchman has been showing off his versatility on both ends of the floor.
Sarr has been impressive on defense. He is an elite shot blocker who can also handle guards on the perimeter. The Wizards have to be excited with how the No. 2 pick of the 2024 NBA draft has been playing.
#2 Bub Carrington
Bub Carrington is looking like a big draft-day steal for the Washington Wizards. The 6-foot-4 point guard has impressed since Day 1 of his NBA career.
Last week, Carrington put on another superb showing, running the Wizards offense. He averaged 11.0 points, 4.3 rebounds, 5.3 assists and 1.7 steals per game. Carrington’s versatility and poise jump out.
#1 Jaylen Wells
Injuries to Marcus Smart, Desmond Bane, GG Jackson II, Vince Williams Jr. and Luke Kennard forced Taylor Jenkins to a tight spot. The Memphis Grizzlies coach can’t afford to lean too much on Ja Morant this early in the season. Jenkins decided to test Jaylen Wells, the No. 39 pick in the 2024 NBA draft.
Wells grabbed the opportunity and showed why the Grizzlies must have drafted a gem. The Washington State product averaged 12.8 points, 4.8 rebounds and 2.3 assists in four games last week. He shot 48.7%, including 39.6% from deep.
Jenkins has inserted Jaylen Wells into the starting lineup not only for his offense. The rookie has become the team’s defensive ace on the perimeter. Wells has taken on the toughest assignments and has thrived in that role. He deserves the No. 1 spot after Week 2 of the NBA ROY power rankings.