Yves Missi on top! Sarr seems to bounce back. https://www.nba.com/news/kia-rookie-ladder-january-1-2025-edition Latest ranking (All stats through Tuesday, Dec. 31) 1. Yves Missi, New Orleans Pelicans Season stats: 9.4 ppg, 8.5 rpg, 1.4 bpg Last Ladder: No. 2 Draft pick: No. 21 Missi leads the Class of 2024 in rebounds, offensive rebounds (3.9 per game) and double-doubles (7), and ranks third in blocks (1.4). He’s not impacting winning but he has folks in New Orleans excited. Said teammate CJ McCollum: “He’s probably surprised himself. … From the first day he got here to now has been night and day.” 2. Alexandre Sarr, Washington Wizards Season stats: 11.6 ppg, 6.1 rpg, 1.8 bpg Last Ladder: No. 4 Draft pick: No. 2 Early assessments from Summer League noted Sarr’s mobility and defense, but also his shooting struggles. Well, the 7-footer shot 46.1% from the floor and 45.5% on 3-pointers, in December, vastly improved from October/November (37.6%, 24.4%). Said Wizards coach Brian Keefe: “Some people hesitate when they’re not making them. He was not. That’s one of the things that we’ve learned about him is how strong he is mentally.” 3. Zach Edey, Memphis Grizzlies Season stats: 11.3 ppg, 8 rpg, 1.2 bpg Last Ladder: No. 5 Draft pick: No. 9 OK, so it came against the Raptors. But Edey’s 21 points and 16 rebounds (nine offensive) in 27 minutes Thursday still was impressive. The big man took a hit vs. New Orleans and has missed the Grizzlies’ past two games in concussion protocol. 4. Stephon Castle, San Antonio Spurs Season stats: 11 ppg, 2.5 rpg, 3.6 apg Last Ladder: No. 1 Draft pick: No. 4 His production and efficiency drooped across the board from November to December, taking his Ladder ranking with them. But his confidence might get a boost from the 15 points, 5-of-8 shooting, four boards and four assists he got in the Spurs’ 2024 finale, Tuesday’s blowout of the Clippers. 5. Jaylen Wells, Memphis Grizzlies Season stats: 11.3 ppg, 3.2 rpg, 1.7 apg Last Ladder: No. 3 Draft pick: No. 39 Not sure if this is causal or just coincidental, but when the second-rounder from Washington State scores 10 points or more, the Grizzlies are 18-3. When he doesn’t, they’re 5-8. The Next 5: 6. Zaccharie Risacher, Atlanta Hawks Season stats: 10.8 ppg, 3.4 rpg, 1.2 apg Last Ladder: No. 6 Draft pick: No. 1 Finished a challenging month with 42.9% week from the arc (6/14) and three more victories. 7. Tristan Da Silva, Orlando Magic Season stats: 8.8 ppg, 3.6 rpg, 1.7 apg Last Ladder: No. 8 Draft pick: No. 18 Wrapped up calendar 2024 as plus-23 in a 102-101 win vs. the Nets, scoring 21 with six boards and seven assists. 8. Bub Carrington, Washington Wizards Season stats: 9 ppg, 4.3 rpg, 3.9 apg Last Ladder: No. 7 Draft pick: No. 14 Carrington left the court in a wheelchair Monday after hitting his head on a Knicks player’s knee. Tops rookies in minutes and assists. 9. Ajay Mitchell, Oklahoma City Thunder Season stats: 6.2 ppg, 2 rpg, 1.7 apg Last Ladder: No. 9 Draft pick: No. 38 Key contributions to rolling Thunder, with 10-5-4 in his first start Saturday and 17 points the next night vs. Memphis. 10. Dalton Knecht, L.A. Lakers Season stats: 10 ppg, 3.5 rpg, 1.1 apg Last Ladder: Not ranked Draft pick: No. 17 Perked up with 18 points vs. Kings before going 2-for-8 (0-for-5 on 3-pointers) vs. Cavs
