NBA Rookie of The Year (ROY) Rankings 2024-25: Top 5 candidates after Week 6 ft. Zaccharie Risacher

Jared McCain ruled the NBA Rookie of the Year (ROY) rankings over the past two weeks. He had a couple of games that pushed him to the top of the weekly rookie player review. The Philadelphia 76ers couldn’t sustain that impressive run in Week 6, but will that be enough to dislodge him from the top?

Dalton Knecht also faltered a bit, particularly when LA Lakers coach JJ Redick dropped him to the bench. He eventually returned to the starting lineup and wasn’t as consistent in the past week. It remains to be seen if someone else will emerge as a leader of the pack heading into Week 7 of the rookie power rankings.

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2024-25 NBA Rookie of the Year Power Rankings

#5 Zaccharie Risacher

Atlanta Hawks forward Zaccharie Risacher - Source: Imagn

For the second straight week, Zaccharie Risacher made it to the top 5 in the NBA Rookie of the Year weekly rankings. Risacher’s offense continues to shine, but his play on the other end is starting to make its mark too.

The Frenchman had a dud on Nov. 25th against the Dallas Mavericks, where he recorded five points, two rebounds and two assists. He bounced back in his next three games, averaging 14 points per game on 56.7% shooting, including 50% from deep.

The No. 1 pick in this year’s draft averaged and 1.0 blocks and close to 1 steal per game, but his impact on defense went beyond the numbers.

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4 Stephon Castle

San Antonio Spurs guard Stephon Castle - Source: Imagn

Stephon Castle slides a step back this week after placing third in Week 5. The San Antonio Spurs guard had 23 points, five assists, three rebounds and one block in his team’s 128-115 win over the Utah Jazz on Tuesday.

Castle, though, has struggled with his shooting. In his last two games, he averaged 9.0 points on 26.5% shooting from the 3-point line. He stands out because of his savvy plays, outstanding defense and playmaking.

Spurs coach Mitch Johnson gives him the toughest assignments on defense and allows him to handle playmaking duties when Chris Paul sits. Castle is No. 4 on the NBA Rookie of the Year weekly rankings.

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3 Dalton Knecht

Lakers forward Dalton Knecht (R) - Source: Imagn

Dalton Knecht’s momentum in the NBA Rookie of the Year weekly rankings took a hit last week. He struggled off the bench in the LA Lakers’ 127-100 loss to the Phoenix Suns on Tuesday. He had seven points on 2-for-7 shooting, including 1-for-4 from deep.

Redick inserted him back into the starting lineup and Knecht’s game picked up. He had back-to-back 20-point games and relished battling for rebounds.

Knecht, however, didn’t have his shooting touch on Sunday against the Utah Jazz. He had six points, seven rebounds, one assist and one steal in LA’s 105-104 win. The rookie shot 2-for-10, including 1-for-5 from behind the arc, his roughest shooting night in the NBA.

He still managed to do enough to take the No. 3 spot in the NBA Rookie of the Year weekly rankings.

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2 Jaylen Wells

Memphis Grizzlies Forward Jaylen Wells - Source: Imagn

Jaylen Wells remained the most consistent among the rookies this year. He is the only first-year pro who has made it to the ROY power rankings every week.

Despite the return of Marcus Smart, Desmond Bane and Luke Kennard from injuries, Grizzlies coach Taylor Jenkins has kept the rookie in the starting five. Wells averaged 11 points, 4.5 rebounds and 2.0 assists in four games. He shot 45.2%, including 37.8% from behind the arc.

The No. 39 pick in this year’s draft helped Memphis to a 4-0 record last week. He deserves the No. 2 spot in the NBA Rookie of the Year weekly rankings.

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1 Jared McCain

Philadelphia 76ers guard Jared McCain - Source: Imagn

Jared McCain did not have the kind of week that created a buzz on social media. And yet, he tops the NBA Rookie of the Year weekly rankings for the third straight week. He averaged 13.3 points, 3.3 rebounds and 1.7 assists in three games. McCain’s efficiency faltered as defenses marked him better, particularly when Joel Embiid and Paul George were out. He shot 31.5% and went 6.0% from deep during that stretch.

Tyrese Maxey is Philly’s lone healthy star, but defenses are starting to hone in on McCain more. In a season that hasn’t turned out as well as expected, the rookie has arguably been the 76ers’ brightest spot a little over a month into their campaign.