Jalen Wells could make history not seen since 2017

In the 2024-25 NBA season. the rookie’s play was underwhelming compared to previous seasons with Victor Wembanyama and Paolo Banchero running away with the Rookie of the Year award. Enough, though first-year talent made the difference for their teamsespecially the Philadelphia 76ers quarterback Jared McCain. Unfortunately, with McCain’s season ended due to knee surgeryhe is now in the spotlight of the NBA rookie rankings Memphis Grizzlies swinger Jalen Wells.

After being overlooked in the 2024 NBA Draft, Wells was selected 39th overall by the Grizzlies. While many second-round picks don’t come into the league and play right away, the opposite happened for Wells due to injuries taking a turn for the worse early on for Memphis.

As a three-and-D wing, the Grizzlies rookie has quickly exceeded expectations and has started in 35 of his 40 games so far.

If he keeps it up, it’s possible Wells could become the first second-round pick to win NBA Rookie of the Year since Malcolm Brogdon did it with the Milwaukee Bucks in 2017.

The Grizzlies rookie is making an impact on what has proven to be one of the best teams in the league this season, which is why he is right at the top of the NBA rookie rankings.

1. Jalen Wells – Memphis Grizzlies

Previous rank: #4

Stats: 40 games, 11.7 points, 3.4 rebounds, 1.7 assists, 43.8 FG%, 37.8 3P%

Wells is currently tied for the most games played by any rookie this season, and is second only to Zachary Rizaher for the most starts by a first-year player. It is also associated with Alec Sarr for the lead among all rookies, excluding McCain due to a season-ending injury.

The Grizzlies needed some kind of spark with Ja Morant, Marcus Smart and Desmond Bain injured early in the year, and they found that thanks to Wells’ ability to be a real force on the perimeter. Wells has made 76 3-pointers this season, by far the most of any rookie in the NBA.

As for a the rookie who makes the biggest impact and wins games with his team, Wells ranks at the very top of the NBA rookie rankings.

2. Alex Sarr – Washington Wizards

Previous rank: #7

Stats: 34 games, 11.7 points, 6.6 rebounds, 1.6 blocks, 40.6 FG%, 32.5 3P%

Of all the rookies in the NBA, Alex Sarr is in the best possible position to win the Rookie of the Year award simply because he will see a lot of minutes the rest of the year. With the rebuilding Washington Wizards, Sarr has emerged as one of their focal points in the frontcourt, consistently playing close to 30 minutes per game. Entering the second half of the year, Sarro’s role will only increase if he stays healthy.

Defensively, Sarr really makes his presence felt as a true rim protector. He is one of 13 players in the entire league to record at least 50 blocks to this point in the season. The Wizards rookie is currently tied for the league lead in scoring among all rookies with Wells.

3. Yves Misi – New Orleans Pelicans

Previous rank: #5

Stats: 40 games, 9.0 points, 8.2 rebounds, 1.4 blocks, 55.9 FG%

Perhaps the most underrated newcomer this season is Yves Missy. Although the New Orleans Pelicans can’t boast, Missy has consistently been a double-double threat at center. What makes him a special prospect moving forward is the fact that Missy can protect the rim on the force.

Missy currently leads all rookies in rebounding, field goal percentage (min. 200 shot attempts) and blocks.

4. Stephon Castle – San Antonio Spurs

Previous rank: #2

Stats: 37 games, 11.0 points, 3.6 assists, 2.4 rebounds, 39.3 FG%, 25.4 3P%

Stephon Castle is the future of the San Antonio Spurs backcourt. The rookie point guard continues to learn a lot behind Chris Paul, and we have seen clear growth since Zamko since the beginning of the season.

Although his shooting percentages are still quite low, Castle sees a consistent role as a secondary playmaker and scorer off the bench in San Antonio. He currently ranks third and fourth in attempts and field goals made, respectively.

5. Zacharie Risacher – Atlanta Hawks

Previous rank: #3

Stats: 39 games, 10.5 points, 3.5 rebounds, 1.2 assists, 40.2 FG%, 28.1 3P%

The 2024 No. 1 pick continued to make a difference for the Atlanta Hawks. Zachary Rizacher started on the wing in 37 of the 39 games he played and helped the Hawks look like a playoff team. However, his three-point shooting percentage has dipped recently, as Rizacher is shooting just 22.2 percent from distance since the start of 2025.

If he can develop into a consistent shooting threat, Rizacher will help unlock the full potential of Atlanta’s offensive attack with Trae Young and Jaylen Johnson leading the way.

6. Zach Edey – Memphis Grizzlies

Previous rank: #9

Stats: 26 games, 9.9 points, 7.5 rebounds, 1.1 blocks, 58.2 FG%, 39.3 3P%

Zach Edey missed almost a month of action from mid-November until just before the holidays in December due to an ankle injury. Since returning to the Memphis Grizzlies lineup, Eday has been a legitimate double-double threat.

However, the Grizzlies have reduced the rookie’s minutes in recent games, leading to him averaging just 5.3 points and 5.8 rebounds per game over his last six contests. He is still in the mix to climb into the top 5 of the NBA rookie rankings.

7. Tristan da Silva – Orlando Magic

Previous rank: #8

Stats: 37 games, 8.8 points, 4.1 rebounds, 1.7 assists, 41.9 FG%, 31.5 3P%

Due to injury concerns for the Orlando Magic, Tristan da Silva has seen a bigger role than imagined. When the Magic selected da Silva, they envisioned a long winger who could do a little bit for them off the bench. That’s exactly what the rookie did, and he even managed to show off his offensive prowess in the absence of Paolo Banchero, Franz Wagner and Jalen Suggs.

Recently against the Milwaukee Bucks, da Silva recorded his first career double-double with 16 points and 10 rebounds while playing a career-high 40 minutes.

8. Ryan Dunn – Phoenix Suns

Previous Rank: Unranked

Stats: 35 games, 7.2 points, 3.2 rebounds, 45.5 FG%, 31.5 3P%

Mike Budenholzer recently changed his starting lineup, inserting Ryan Dunn on the wing in place of All-Star Bradley Beal. Over the last seven games since the decision was announced, Dunn has averaged 10.7 points and 4.4 rebounds per game while shooting 53.3 percent from the floor and 36.0 percent from three-point range.

Dunn has a chance to make a real positive impact in Phoenix for years to come because of his two-way play on the wing.

9. Dalton Knecht – Los Angeles Lakers

Previous rank: #6

Stats: 37 games, 9.6 points, 3.3 rebounds, 1.0 assists, 46.1 FG%, 34.7 3P%

At the beginning of this season, it looked like Dalton Knecht would be in the running for Rookie of the Year. After seeing over 25 minutes every night, Knecht has fallen into JJ Redick’s nightly rotations and is averaging just 15.8 minutes per game in 2025.

A lot of that has to do with Knecht’s extended shooting slump, as he shot just 12-for-63 (19.0%) from three-point range since the start of December. Finding Knecht’s confidence will be key for the Lakers heading into the last half of the season.

10. Carlton Carrington – Washington Wizards

Previous Rank: Unranked

Stats: 38 games, 8.9 points, 4.3 rebounds, 4.1 assists, 40.3 FG%, 34.1 3P%

Much like Sarr continues to develop and see minutes, the Wizards are focusing on the development of Carlton Carrington in their backcourt. Carrington has consistently averaged around 30 minutes per game as of late, and currently leads all rookies in minutes. The Wizards guard also leads all rookies in assists, while second in three-pointers and attempts.

There is plenty of opportunity for Carrington to become the focal point of Washington’s offense and rise up the NBA rookie rankings.