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

Jared McCain surged to the top of the NBA Rookie of the Year (ROY) rankings after an impressive Week 4 display. The Philadelphia 76ers combo guard continues to put up superb numbers, particularly with Joel Embiid and Paul George dealing with injuries. Can the former Duke star retain his spot, or will another first-year pro take over the top of the rankings?

McCain gets stiff competition from two other rookies who also performed well in Week 5. Dalton Knecht captured national media attention with a blistering performance against the Utah Jazz on Tuesday. Will it be enough to pip McCain from pole position?

---

2024-25 NBA Rookie of the Year Power Rankings

#5 Zaccharie Risacher

The No. 1 pick in this year’s draft gets the nod at No. 5 on the NBA Rookie of the Year power rankings. Zaccharie Risacher submitted averages of 11.3 points, 4.0 rebounds and 1.8 assists in four games. The Frenchman’s best performance came in the Atlanta Hawks’ 109-108 win over the Sacramento Kings on Nov. 18. He had 18 points, three rebounds, two assists, two steals and one block.

---

#4 Jaylen Wells

Jaylen Wells is the only rookie in this list who has made the top 5 of the NBA Rookie of the Year power standings in each of the first five weeks. The Memphis Grizzlies guard continues to impress. Wells averaged 15.8 points, 2.8 rebounds and 2.3 assists in four games. The Grizzlies went 3-1 during that stretch.

Wells has maximized the opportunities given to him due to injuries to Ja Morant and Marcus Smart. Desmond Bane returned from injury, but Grizzlies coach Taylor Jenkins continues to have faith in the rookie.

---

#3 Stephon Castle

San Antonio went 3-0 last week with big help from Stephon Castle. The Spurs rookie was particularly impressive against the Golden State Warriors on Saturday. He had 19 points and made crucial shots late in his team’s 104-94 victory. The Spurs battled back from a 17-point third-quarter deficit to win.

Castle’s work wasn’t just on the offensive end. He helped slow down Steph Curry to 14 points on 5-for-16 shooting, including 3-for-10 from deep. The former UConn star deserves the No. 3 spot in Week 5 of the NBA Rookie of the Year power rankings.

---

#2 Dalton Knecht

Dalton Knecht caused a buzz when he lit up the Utah Jazz for 37 points on 12-for-16 shooting with 9-for-12 efficiency from deep. He followed it up with a 17-point outing against the Orlando Magic on Thursday. The former Tennessee star has become the LA Lakers’ most consistent volume 3-point shooter.

Knecht came back to earth on Saturday when he was removed from the Lakers’ starting lineup. Coming off the bench again, he had nine points in his team’s 127-102 loss to the Denver Nuggets. He gets the No. 2 spot in Week 5 of the NBA Rookie of the Year power rankings.

---

#1 Jared McCain

Jared McCain remains entrenched atop the NBA Rookie of the Year power rankings. The 76ers rookie averaged 22.0 points, 4.0 assists and 2.8 assists in four games. McCain shone in Philadelphia’s 113-98 win over the Brooklyn Nets on Friday.

Without Joel Embiid and Paul George, he led the Sixers with 30 points, five rebounds and three assists. Philly is struggling to win games, but it’s not because of the rookie.