NBA2K25 is scheduled for release in early September, and the next few days will be dedicated to unveiling player rankings for the world to see.
That must be weird, right? Imagine you’re a bartender. And once a year, you get a grade on your skills. But it’s not a traditional performance review or annual review. It’s a metric that’s based on 1 to 100. And it’s visible to the world. Weird.
Regardless, the top-rated rookies were revealed today, including the first-round draft pick for the Phoenix SunsRyan Dunn.
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Dunn enters the league with a 70 overall rating, which, while modest, reflects a solid foundation for a rookie. When put into the broader context of this draft class, it’s clear that Dunn’s rating is quite respectable. Case in point, Zaccharie Alexander, the first overall pick in the draft and a highly anticipated talent for the league Atlanta Hawksstarts with an overall rating of 75. That’s the lowest initial rating we’ve seen for a first overall pick, at least in the last 10 years.
That grade sets the bar high, but Dunn’s 70 grade shows he’s in the running with a group of 13 other top-30 recruits who share that grade. That level of consistency among rookies suggests a competitive field, where Dunn’s potential is recognized but still needs development.
In comparison, a look at previous versions of the game provides a better understanding of the evolution of rookie ratings. In NBA2K19, Deandre Ayton, the Suns’ first-round pick, entered the game with an impressive 79 overall rating, reflecting a strong recognition of his potential to make an immediate impact. Similarly, in NBA2K21, Jalen Smith, the Suns’ first-round pick, debuted with a 72 overall rating.
Fellow rookie Oso Ighodaro enters the game with a 68.
Overall, Dunn’s 70 rating should be considered a solid starting point. It places him among the mid-tier rookies with plenty of room for improvement and the potential to exceed expectations as he adjusts to the demands of the NBA.
