Every year, a new class of rookies enters the NBA ready to make a name for themselves and help fantasy ring managers in the process. Last season, Victor Wembanyama finished sixth in per-game fantasy value, while Chet Holmgren finished 32nd. Jalen Williams finished inside the top 75 for the 2022-23 season, while Paolo Banchero came in at 136. For the 2021-22 campaign, rookies Cade Cunningham (48th) and Evan Mobley (80th) made immediate impacts for fantasy managers The 2024 rookie class is filled with talented players, and while I have no project to crack the top 100, there are several guys who are worth listing in 12-team leagues and even more worth grabbing in deeper leagues.
Here are my top 10 fantasy rookies for the 2024-25 campaign.
Note: Stats listed are Yahoo projections.
Zach Edey, C, Grizzlies
Rookie rank: 1
Overall rank: 117
Games | MIN | PTS | 15:00 | REB | AST | STL | BLK | FG% | FT% | TO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
64 | 24.5 | 11.5 | 0 | 7.7 | 1.6 | 0.4 | 1.8 | 64.30% | 70.70% | 1.8 |
With Steven Adams gone, Memphis’ center rotation is thin, and the Grizzlies’ front office made a concerted effort to address that positional need by grabbing Purdue’s big man in the lottery. Edey led Purdue to the NCAA Championship Game behind eye-popping scoring statistics and his second straight National Player of the Year award. Our projections rank him right inside the top 120 in per-game value, making him an intriguing, late-round center pick thanks to his strong rebounding and shot-blocking abilities.
Reed Sheppard, SG, Rockets
Rookie rank: 2
Total rank: 130
Games | MIN | PTS | 15:00 | REB | AST | STL | BLK | FG% | FT% | TO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
68 | 25.5 | 11.4 | 1.6 | 2.9 | 3.2 | 0.9 | 0.5 | 53.70% | 83.10% | 2 |
Houston’s roster does not present the easiest path for Sheppard to see significant minutes, and unlike Edey, he will face competition for playing time. Sheppard won’t start over Fred VanVleet or Jalen Green, but he could be Houston’s first point guard off the bench. Sheppard boasts strong shooting from multiple levels, and he can rebound and get teammates involved while compiling useful defensive numbers in the process.
Donovan Clingan, C, Trail Blazers
Rookie rank: 3
Total rank: 137
Games | MIN | PTS | 15:00 | REB | AST | STL | BLK | FG% | FT% | TO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
65 | 22.2 | 12.5 | 0.1 | 6.4 | 1.3 | 0.5 | 2.2 | 63.90% | 58.30% | 0.8 |
The two-time defending NCAA champion knows a thing or two about winning basketball, and his size and age make him the perfect addition to Portland’s young, rebuilding roster. Robert Williams suffered a season-ending injury just six games into his Portland tenure, and Clingan’s arrival could mean the end of his brief stint in the Pacific Northwest. Deandre Ayton played well to end the season, but his debut campaign as a Blazer was rocky, and there are questions about his long-term fit with this roster. The Blazers have plenty of depth and youth at guard and forward, and Clingan likely represents their starting center of the future. He could become the team’s starter sooner rather than later, and there’s a chance he opens the season as the Blazers’ primary backup big.
Matas Buzelis, SF, Bulls
Rookie rank: 4
Total rank: 148
Games | MIN | PTS | 15:00 | REB | AST | STL | BLK | FG% | FT% | TO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
67 | 22.5 | 10.6 | 1.2 | 5.1 | 1.8 | 0.7 | 1.2 | 47.30% | 75.50% | 1.6 |
Buzelis played solid ball in the G-League last season, averaging 14.1 points, 6.6 rebounds, 1.9 assists, 0.9 steals, 1.9 blocks, and 0.9 triples across 34 appearances. He wasn’t an efficient shooter by any measure of the metric (.455/.261/.696 shooting splits), but he continued to shine as a scorer throughout the season. With DeMar DeRozan gone and the futures of Zach LaVine and Nikola Vucevic uncertain in the Windy City, the 6-foot-10 Buzelis is an intriguing fantasy option thanks to his ability to handle the ball, score, rebound, facilitate, and strengthen defensively. statistics He should earn rotation minutes right out of the gate.
Alex Sarr, PF, Wizards
Rookie rank: 5
Total rank: 157
Games | MIN | PTS | 15:00 | REB | AST | STL | BLK | FG% | FT% | TO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
70 | 31.3 | 10.6 | 0.7 | 6.9 | 1.1 | 0.6 | 1.2 | 49.70% | 71.40% | 1.4 |
The 7-1 French center was widely viewed as the top pick in the 2024 draft by many analysts, and Washington was able to land him second after Atlanta took Zaccharie Rissacher No. 1. Sarr wasn’t a phenomenal scoring option, but he was terrific as a defender in 30 games for Perth (NBL) last season. His athleticism and elite defensive skills make him a lucrative fantasy prospect, and his landing in Washington means he should push for 30-plus minutes right away. If he can find success as a scorer, that will be an added bonus for fantasy managers who take a chance on him.
Kel’El Ware, C, Heat
Rookie rank: 6
Total rank: 180
Games | MIN | PTS | 15:00 | REB | AST | STL | BLK | FG% | FT% | TO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
67 | 17.5 | 8.4 | 0.6 | 5.8 | 1 | 0.6 | 1.1 | 53.30% | 63.70% | 1.3 |
After playing a muted role for Oregon as a freshman, Ware transferred to Indiana and enjoyed a breakout season. He averaged 15.9 points, 9.9 rebounds, 1.5 assists, and 1.9 blocks in 32.1 minutes per game, bringing home multiple Big Ten honors. The 7-footer knocked down 42.5% of his 3-pointers, though he only attempted 1.3 per contest. If Ware continues to develop as a shooter, he can become an elite fantasy center thanks to his scoring, rebounding, defense and long-range shooting. Ware should serve as Bam Adebayo’s primary backup, meaning he should see plenty of minutes out of the gate.
Zaccharie Rissacher, SF, Hawks
Rookie Rank: 7
Total rank: 182
Games | MIN | PTS | 15:00 | REB | AST | STL | BLK | FG% | FT% | TO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
70 | 24.5 | 12 | 1.5 | 4.9 | 1.3 | 1 | 0.4 | 44.00% | 74.00% | 1.5 |
In 65 appearances for JL Bourg last season, Rissacher averaged 11.1 points, 4.0 rebounds, 0.9 steals, 0.9 blocks and 1.4 triples in 23.3 minutes per contest. His world-class jump shot was a big reason why he was selected #1 overall in the 2024 NBA Draft, but there are multiple question marks, such as his rebounding, facilitating, and overall scoring abilities. He should immediately compete for a regular spot in Atlanta’s rotation, even though the Hawks have plenty of talent at the forward position.
Yves Missi, C, Pelicans
Rookie rank: 8
Total rank: 183
Games | MIN | PTS | 15:00 | REB | AST | STL | BLK | FG% | FT% | TO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
64 | 24.5 | 11.5 | 0 | 7.7 | 1.6 | 0.4 | 1.8 | 64.30% | 70.70% | 1.8 |
Missi is a classic edge-rushing center, and thanks to New Orleans’ lack of frontcourt options, he should have a solid chance in Year 1. The 20-year-old 7-footer played 34 games during his freshman season at Baylor, averaging. 10.7 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 1.5 blocks while shooting 61.4% from the floor through 23 minutes per game. He was far from elite as a rebounder, but he should be able to contribute meaningfully in an offense as a lob threat on pick and rolls. As a defender, he should be able to rack up blocks at a high clip, making him an exciting, late-round center option in 2024-25 fantasy drafts. He has tremendous upside and could crack the top 100 if all goes his way.
Kyle Filipowski, PF, Jazz
Rookie Rank: 9
Total rank: 189
Games | MIN | PTS | 15:00 | REB | AST | STL | BLK | FG% | FT% | TO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
66 | 21.3 | 13.2 | 0.8 | 4.6 | 1.7 | 0.7 | 0.9 | 51.70% | 66.70% | 2.1 |
Filipowski averaged 16.4 points, 8.3 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 1.1 steals, 1.5 blocks, and 1.1 triples per game in his second season with the Blue Devils. He has significant upside at the next level not only because of his scoring, rebounding and defensive prowess but also because of his passing skills as a big man. Continued improvements as a scorer could make him a great frontcourt player in the Association, though he will face plenty of competition for playing time in Utah’s loaded frontcourt.
Dalton Knecht, SG, Lakers
Rookie Rank: 10
Total rank: 232
Games | MIN | PTS | 15:00 | REB | AST | STL | BLK | FG% | FT% | TO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
69 | 18.8 | 10 | 1.2 | 2.8 | 1.5 | 0.6 | 0.5 | 45.90% | 77.20% | 1.7 |
Knecht began his collegiate career at the JUCO level, logged two seasons at Northern Colorado, and played his fifth year at Tennessee. He flourished with the Volunteers, winning the SEC Player of the Year Award while leading his team to the Elite Eight. In 36 games, Knecht averaged 21.7 points, 4.9 rebounds, 1.8 assists, 0.7 steals, 0.6 blocks, and 2.6 3-pointers while recording shooting splits of 45.8% from the field, 39.7% from beyond the arc, and 77.2% from the foul. line As we’ve seen in recent seasons, Los Angeles’ roster outside of LeBron James and Anthony Davis can change at any time. Knecht could see significant rotation minutes by season’s end, though he will likely begin his new campaign playing a limited role.
