The 2024 rookie class was supposed to be a weak one. That has been the case early on this season.

Last year, seven first-year players averaged at least 11.7 points per game. That’s the high water mark for this class, set by No. 1 pick Zaccharie Risacher. 

While the top of this class hasn’t exactly been lighting the world on fire, there have been some good stories. There are already some steals emerging that were picked outside of the lottery. Four of them make up the top seven of these rookie rankings. 

Here’s how this rookie class is shaping out.

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NBA Rookie Rankings 1.0

1. Jared McCain, Sixers

Stats: 11.5 PTS, 2.1 REB, 1.5 AST, 45.6% FG, 35.9% 3PT

Best game: 27 PTS, 3 REB, 2 AST (Nov. 10 vs. CHO)

McCain has been shockingly good for the Sixers, stepping up as the team’s second-best player behind Tyrese Maxey while Joel Embiid and Paul George have been out. He’s been a good shooter, draining 3s with a quick release. His ability to get to the rim at high volume has been a pleasant surprise. He’s also shown way more shotmaking craft in the pros than at Duke. 

McCain has been on a particular tear over his past three games, averaging 22.7 points per contest. He has coupled that bench scoring with great effort defensively, making up for his 6-3 height.

No. 16 pick Jared McCain had himself a night in the @sixers THRILLING overtime win!

🔔 27 PTS (career high)
🔔 23 in 2H/OT
🔔 55.6 FG% pic.twitter.com/w1D88OkuRA

— NBA (@NBA) November 11, 2024

McCain was taken with the No. 16 pick. He’s looking like a steal for the Sixers. 

2. Zach Edey, Grizzlies

Stats: 11.2 PTS, 6.6 REB, 0.9 BLK, 64.6% FG

Best game: 25 PTS, 12 REB, 4 BLK (Nov. 4 vs. BRK)

Edey has been an extremely efficient scorer and a great rebounder. He started nine of the Grizzlies’ first 11 games, making an immediate impact in the league. His sheer 7-4 size has translated, making him a handful to deal with when he gets the ball inside. That left shoulder hook shot he depended on so heavily from his college days still works flawlessly in the NBA. 

Edey’s shooting has been a bit of a shock. He’s hit 4-of-7 from deep after not being much of an outside shooter at Purdue. He’s had some early foul issues that he is starting to clean up but has otherwise been a solid rookie. 

MORE: What NBA Draft analysts missed about Edey’s unique potential

3. Ryan Dunn, Suns

Stats: 7.0 PTS, 2.3 REB, 48.2% FG, 39.5% 3PT

Best game: 16 PTS, 4 REB, 1 STL (Oct. 31 vs LAC)

Dunn was supposed to be a defensive prospect who couldn’t shoot. That hasn’t been the case at all.

Dunn has been one of the team’s more reliable 3-point threats, hitting more 3s (15-of-38) through his first 10 NBA games than he did in two years (12-of-51) at Virginia. Coupled with his great defense (he is one of the few rookies that hasn’t been annihilated by DeMar DeRozan), he’s looking like a nice 3-and-D wing.

4. Yves Missi, Pelicans

Stats: 6.6 PTS, 5.9 REB, 1.5 AST, 1.5 BLK 

Best game: 17 PTS, 11 REB, 1 STL, 1 BLK (Nov. 11 vs. BRK)

Missi is a tremendous athlete who has been able to get up and finish lobs while blocking everything in sight on the defensive end of the floor. He’s more than just a dunk guy on offense, showing some good post moves and the ability to put the ball on the floor.

For a prospect who was considered raw and only started playing basketball five years ago, Missi has been way more polished than expected. 

MORE: Latest news, updates on Zion Williamson’s hamstring injury

5. Zaccharie Risacher, Hawks

Stats: 11.7 PTS, 4.0 REB, 1.3 AST

Best game: 33 PTS, 7 REB, 3 AST, 3 STL, 2 BLK (Nov. 6 vs NYK)

Risacher has been up and down so far this year. He’s had six games of scoring eight or fewer points and four games where he’s scored 15 or more. 

His shot isn’t falling yet — he’s hit only 37.2 percent of his field goals, 24.6 percent of his 3s and 62.2 percent of his free throws — and his finishing has been ugly at times, but he’s been doing most of the other stuff on the floor that was expected of him. That includes playing good defense and throwing some nifty passes. 

No. 1 overall pick Zaccharie Risacher had it ROLLING in the @ATLHawks win!

🔥 33 PTS (career high)
🔥 7 REB
🔥 6 3PM
🔥 3 STL
🔥 11-18 FGM

A career day for a career just underway 🌟 pic.twitter.com/b6nYLSM6HX

— NBA (@NBA) November 7, 2024

6. Bub Carrington, Wizards

Stats: 9.6 PTS, 4.4 REB, 5.1 AST

Best game: 10 PTS, 10 REB, 8 AST (Nov. 8 vs MEM)

Carrington has been a good scorer and distributor for the Wizards. He’s capable of making shots from all three levels of the floor, and he’s shown a knack for running pick-and-rolls. The fact that he can read the game this well at age 19 is impressive. 

7. Jaylen Wells, Grizzlies 

Stats: 11.4 PTS, 3.3 REB, 1.6 AST, 42.5% FG, 39.2% 3PT

Best game: 20 PTS, 3 REB, 1 STL (Nov. 6 vs LAL)

The Grizzlies have been besieged by injuries once again, and that has given Wells a chance to shine. The No. 39 pick has outplayed several of his peers in the lottery, 

Wells is a wing who has been able to knock down shots, spread the floor and make plays on defense. He was a late bloomer and he isn’t an A+ athlete, resulting in him being overlooked by a lot of teams. 

NBA MOCK DRAFT: Cooper Flagg goes No. 1 to Nets; Wizards land Ace Bailey

Honorable mentions

Jonathan Mogbo, Raptors: Mogbo is a great athlete who finds a way to make things happen on both ends of the floor. His game is still a bit unpolished, but he has shown flashes of playmaking. The energy forward went with the No. 31 pick. He’d be a first-rounder today. 

Alexandre Sarr, Wizards: Sarr has been a nice defender, blocking 2.4 shots per game and switching capably onto multiple positions while not fouling much. It’s been a struggle on offense, where he’s shooting just 33.0 percent from the field and 18.6 percent from 3. 

Donovan Clingan, Blazers: Clingan has been as good as advertised defensively, blocking 1.6 shots per game. Minutes have been hard to come by with Deandre Ayton and the return of Robert Williams III. Clingan has averaged only 14.5 per game.

Ajay Mitchell, Thunder: Mitchell is a solid player on both ends of the floor. He’s been a steadying presence whenever he’s played, setting up teammates well and knocking down his shots.

Dalton Knecht, Lakers: Knecht had some solid games early, capped by an 18-point performance against the Cavs on Oct. 30. After a promising preseason, he simply hasn’t hit enough shots. He’s shooting 38.6 percent from the field and 28.9 percent from 3. 

Kyshawn George, Wizards: George is a great defensive wing who might be able to playmake down the line.

MORE: Former NBA star breaks down Bronny James’ biggest problem

Rookie stats and leaders

For comprehensive rookie leaderboards, you can check out daily updated rookie stats here.