NBA Rookie of The Year (ROY) Rankings 2024-25: Top 5 candidates after Week 1 ft. Ryan Dunn

Many of this year’s rookies have debuted for their teams in the 2024-25 NBA season. Following the summer league and preseason preparations, basketball fans were excited to see who would stand out in the first week of the new season. Zach Edey and Reed Sheppard, two of the favorites to win the Rookie of the Year award, had underwhelming starts.

While most are still trying to find fit and rhythm in the pros, a handful have turned heads. The names on this list have made an impact on their team in the early part of the season. A few unheralded first-year players have impressed with their plays, making this year’s ROY contest an interesting one.

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2024-25 NBA Rookie of the Year Power Rankings

#5 Bub Carrington

The Portland Trail Blazers made Carlton “Bub” Carrington the No. 14 pick in this year’s draft but sent him to the Washington Wizards. Portland acquired forward Deni Avdija for the rookie out of Pittsburgh.

The Wizards promptly made Carrington the starting point guard. In his first two games of the season, he had solid performances against the Boston Celtics and the Cleveland Cavaliers. Carrington was unfazed by Jrue Holiday, Derrick White, Donovan Mitchell and Darius Garland to start his NBA career.

Carrington averages 6.5 points, 3.0 assists, 2.5 rebounds and 1.0 steals per game.

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#4 Zaccharie Risacher

The No. 1 pick in the 2024 NBA draft is averaging 8.3 points but shooting only 36.0%, including 20.0% from deep.

Zaccharie Risacher’s other contributions, though, aren’t so evident on the box score. The Frenchman’s versatility allows coach Quin Snyder to use different combinations on the floor.

Risacher has also been an underrated help defender, with his length and mobility causing opponents problems. The Hawks hope that he continues to improve his game as the season moves forward.

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#3 Stephon Castle

The No. 4 pick in this year’s draft has given the San Antonio Spurs a boost off the bench. Stephon Castle is averaging 8.0 points, 4.0 assists, 2.0 rebounds and 1.0 steals per game. In two games, he has shown that he's arguably the Spurs’ best perimeter defender.

On Saturday, he had an impressive two-way impact in San Antonio’s 109-106 win against the Houston Rockets. While Castle made his presence felt on both ends of the floor, Reed Sheppard was benched by Rockets coach Ime Udoka.

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#2 Ryan Dunn

Ryan Dunn might be one of the biggest steals in the 2024 NBA draft. The Phoenix Suns traded the No. 22 pick to the Denver Nuggets, who went to pick DaRon Holmes II. Six spots later, the Suns grabbed Dunn, the former Virginia standout.

Dunn has been a bright spot off the bench in Mike Budenholzer’s roster. The rookie is averaging 8.0 points on 50.0% shooting, including 46.2% from deep.

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#1 Jamison Battle

Who would have thought an undrafted rookie would steal the show in the first week of the NBA Rookie of the Year power rankings? Jamison Battle did just that in three games with the Toronto Raptors.

Battle leads all rookies with 9.0 points per game, making 52.9% of his shots, including 45.5% from behind the arc. The former Ohio State guard has also been a willing board crasher, averaging 4.7 rebounds per contest.

Only time will tell if he can stay in the top five of the NBA Rookie of the Year power rankings as the lottery picks settle in. For now, it’s Battle over any rookie in week 1.