It is that point of 12 months once more.
Fifty-eight younger basketball gamers have been recruited into the NBA on the finish of June. They met their new teammates, participated in Summer season League and now await their official NBA common season debut after taking part in a couple of preseason video games.
Whereas this 12 months’s NBA draft might have lacked the standout famous person that the majority draft lessons are blessed with, there are nonetheless a litany of extraordinarily proficient prospects to look at this season.
Listed here are 5 NBA rookie storylines to look at in 2024-25.
Zach Edey, heart, Memphis Grizzlies
The very first thing you may discover about Canadian rookie Zach Edey is his formidable dimension, standing at 7-foot-4 and 305 kilos.
The 22-year-old put collectively two dominant seasons to shut out his profession at Purdue, main his workforce to the 2024 NCAA Males’s Championship Recreation the place they fell to UConn, 75-60. Edey can be a two-time Naismith School Basketball Participant of the Yr – solely the third male participant to win the award twice.
It could shock some that after his junior 12 months – the place he averaged 22.3 factors, 12.9 rebounds and a couple of.1 blocks per sport – Edey was thought of by many to be an undrafted free agent.
There have been doubts about whether or not his fashion of play would translate to the skilled sport provided that he wouldn’t obtain the identical quantity of touches as in school, in addition to query marks over his mobility in opposition to elite large males within the sooner tempo of the NBA.
Edey selected to return to Purdue for his senior season, throughout which he dominant statistics revealed – 25.2 factors, 12.2 rebounds and a couple of.2 blocks per sport – throughout the board. After practically main Purdue to NCAA glory, the doubters have been cleared and he was chosen by the Memphis Grizzlies with the ninth choose within the 2024 NBA Draft.
Doubts about his skill to adapt on the highest degree already appear misplaced: He recorded 23 factors, 9 rebounds and an help in his last preseason sport in opposition to the Indiana Pacers in opposition to two-time NBA blocks chief Myles Turner.
Edey will play alongside the electrifying Ja Morant, whose explosive velocity and playmaking skill will certainly translate into large alternatives for Edey within the paint.
If the Canadian can preserve the consistency he confirmed at Purdue, the Grizzlies will definitely be an thrilling watch this season.
Jared McCain, guard, Philadelphia 76ers
One of many league’s hottest rookies this season, former Duke guard Jared McCain has grow to be a social media sensation resulting from his larger-than-life persona.
A viral content material creator with practically 4 million followers on TikTok, McCain has gained large success by way of his dance routines and has additionally playfully dismissed all of the criticism he acquired for sporting nail polish within the video games.
None of that issues in relation to the courtroom.
A troublesome combo guard, McCain is a prolific three-point shooter, reverse 41.4% of his deep makes an attempt at Duke within the 2023-24 season. He has the present of intervening in large moments and doesn’t draw back from his duties.
He turned the primary Duke freshman to document 30+ factors in a number of video games in a single NCAA Event, whereas additionally tying the match scoring document of Duke legend and two-time All-Star Zion Williamson in 2024.
Comparisons have been drawn to new teammate Tyrese Maxey, who additionally combines a optimistic, carefree angle in the direction of life off the sphere with an unquestionable work ethic.
McCain will doubtless change Maxey to start out the season, however he has already proven glimpses of his skill to affect video games when starters are rested, scoring 20 factors in opposition to the defending NBA champion Boston Celtics earlier within the pre-season.
The sixteenth general choose joins a really robust Philadelphia 76ers workforce, that includes the previous NBA MVP. Joel Embiid joined by eight-time All-Star Paul George throughout the offseason.
If McCain can discover a technique to contribute often off the bench, he might play a key position within the Sixers lastly making it previous the Jap Convention Finals.
Rob Dillingham, guard, Minnesota Timberwolves
One phrase comes up repeatedly to explain 19-year-old Rob Dillingham: sneaky.
The North Carolina native has one of the vital full offensive arsenals on the NBA roster and basketball followers have been excited for his large league debut for years following his exploits with G-League Workforce Ignite, after selecting to skip his senior 12 months in highschool to play professionally earlier than transferring to Kentucky.
Throughout the 2023-24 season, the 6-foot-1 guard averaged 15.2 factors per sport coming off the bench for the Wildcats and his exploits earned him Sixth Man of the Yr honors. DRY.
He was initially drafted by the San Antonio Spurs earlier than being traded to the Minnesota Timberwolves the place he would workforce up with Workforce USA gold medalist and budding famous person Anthony Edwards.
Dillingham excites followers along with his unpredictable fashion of play. His vary of hesitations, spins and jumps are certain to get Minnesota followers off their toes.
His taking part in time could also be considerably restricted given the energy of Minnesota’s workforce, however the offensive expertise he possesses means he will be introduced into video games and assist ease the scoring burden when he’s referred to as.
Like McCain, scoring contributions off the bench might enable Dillingham to play an essential position because the season progresses.
Stephon Citadel, guard, San Antonio Spurs
There’s an argument to be made that UConn’s guard is essentially the most shovel-ready prospect within the rookie class.
He performs with a fierce depth that rubs off on his teammates and he’s productive on each ends of the ground.
The guard averaged 11.1 factors, 4.7 rebounds and a couple of.9 assists in his lone 12 months at UConn, being named a Large East freshman and scoring 15 factors within the UConn’s nationwide title victory. Huskies vs. Purdue.
Alongside his protection, his playmaking is one in every of his biggest strengths.
For a younger guard, there’s arguably no higher state of affairs than the San Antonio locker room, the place he’ll play alongside 2024 Rookie of the Yr Victor Wembanyama, future Corridor of Famer Chris Paul and from NBA teaching legend Gregg Popovich.
Citadel could make a direct affect and supply defensive metal and playmaking skill that may complement Wembanyama’s stratospheric potential.
Spurs will look to enhance their document within the Frenchman’s second season, and Citadel will definitely play an essential position in the event that they obtain that.
Possible ranging from Recreation 1 whereas studying from two of the most effective minds within the sport – Paul and Coach Pop – Citadel’s introduction to the NBA is a place most younger guards can solely dream of.
Bronny James, guard, Los Angeles Lakers
Bronny James enters the NBA as one of the vital scrutinized second-round picks of all time.
That is as a result of his father is a four-time MVP and NBA champion LeBron Jamesin addition to the league’s all-time main scorer.
LeBron and Bronny are the primary father-son duo to be teammates in NBA historical past and are anticipated to grow to be the primary father and son to take the courtroom on the similar time throughout the common season.
Though his father is the face of the NBA, issues have not been clean crusing for Bronny since his highschool commencement.
In July 2023, James collapsed throughout basketball observe on the College of Southern California after struggling cardiac arrest brought on by what was later identified as a congenital coronary heart defect, an abnormality of the center’s construction.
Happily, he was handled and returned to play later within the season.
A guard at USC, James averaged 4.8 factors, 2.8 rebounds, 2.1 assists and 0.8 steals in 19.3 minutes in 25 appearances for the Trojans final season as his restoration was managed.
The dearth of manufacturing and expertise on the school degree has left many questioning if the 20-year-old is prepared for the NBA. Nevertheless, by choosing him with the fifty fifth choose, the Lakers didn’t take a giant gamble on their future by choosing him.
Few anticipate him to succeed in his father’s heights, however James will doubtless play a job within the NBA by capturing three-pointers at a excessive charge and taking part in good protection. A 17 factors in his pre-season finale in opposition to the Golden State Warriors will not harm his possibilities both.
It stays to be seen what sort of position Bronny will play beneath rookie head coach JJ Redick – who co-hosted a podcast with LeBron final season earlier than becoming a member of the Lakers.
Bronny will doubtless play vital time for the Lakers’ G-League affiliate, the South Bay Lakers.
After signing a four-year rookie contract with the primary two years assured, the Lakers view Bronny as a long-term undertaking.
So whereas taking part in time could also be restricted, anticipate all eyes to be on the Lakers when LeBron and Bronny lastly expertise their historic second collectively on the courtroom.
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