NBA Rookies Who Can Climb the Ladder in Season’s Final Stretch
From the start of the 2023-24 NBA season to the All-Star break, a select few rookies dominated the top of the rookie ladder.
Chet Holmgren got off to a lightning-fast start, and for the most part was able to keep his pace. Victor Wembanyama has always put on gaudy stats, but officially graduated to borderline All-Star in the last few months. And Eastern conference rookies Jaime Jaquez Jr. and Brandon Miller have cemented themselves at three and four at certain points.
Now, though, others will have one last chance to crack that top four. Here’s a few freshmen who could make a run:
Amen Thompson, Houston Rockets
As highlighted by a 22-point showing Thursday night, Thompson has come on strong in his last handful of games.
He’s averaged 12.1 points, 9.8 rebounds and 3.3 assists in his last eight games, and with Houston sliding — just two wins in their last nine tries — he could be in line for a cemented role in the starting lineup.
The No. 4 pick already had one of the highest ceilings in the class, and he’s coming on even sooner than many expected.
Keyonte George, Utah Jazz
George has already been a bright spot for the Jazz this season, averaging 11.7 points and 4.3 assists per game.
Similarly to Houston, Utah could reposition themselves for the 2024 NBA Draft rather than the 2024 playoffs. And with that shift could come added responsibilities for George.
It’s already clear the young sharpshooter is set to be a massive part of the organizations future, and that could manifest itself in this last stretch of games.
GG Jackson, Memphis Grizzlies
With the leagues fifth-worst record, this season is already a wash for the previously-competitive Memphis Grizzlies.
The silver lining will be draft picks and the development of young players, though, one of those being Jackson.
In his last six games, Jackson has tapped into the elite scoring potential that made him a five-star prospect, scoring 20.7 points per contest. Jackson needs the leash necessary to put up those numbers, and he may just get it to end the season.
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