The NBA has unveiled the players that make up the All-Rookie First Team for this season. The rookies that enter the league every year via the NBA Draft are what have kept the sport so competitive and interesting for the fans. Every year, the teams in the NBA evaluate the draft class available for selection in the hopes that they can sign or at least unearth the next Ja Morant or Kobe Bryant. The Rookies coming into the NBA this year had a lot to prove as they all were aiming to have breakout seasons playing for their respective teams.
Who were the nominations for the Rookie of the Year this season?
The winner of the Rookie of the Year for this season was Stephon Castle. He was easily the best rookie in the NBA this season and appeared in 80 games, starting in 47 of those games, averaging a rookie-best 14.7 points, alongside 41 assists, 3.7 rebounds, and 0.91 steals. Castle showed his abilities for a team that has many championships and a great reputation for developing talent, the San Antonio Spurs.
Another finalist was Zaccharie Risacher, who plays for the Atlanta Falcons. The French native came into the league with the expectation that he would follow in the footsteps of other French players like Rudy Gobert. France has a love for basketball that has been evident in recent years, as they have produced a number of championship-winning players like Tony Parker.
Another player that made the All-Rookie First team that was no surprise was Jaylen Wells. During his time at Sonoma State, he earned CCAA Player of the Year honors after averaging 22.4 points per game during his sophomore season. He was selected as the 39th overall pick by the Memphis Grizzlies. The Grizzlies were eager to add to their young talented lineup and see what Wells could do alongside Ja Morant.
What about the rest of the All-Rookie First Team players for this year?
One other player in the All-Rookie First Team worth mentioning is Zach Edey. The Canadian-born center was drafted by the Grizzlies as the ninth overall pick in this year’s draft. He played four seasons for Purdue before being drafted by the Grizzlies. In his college playing career, he racked up many awards, including multiple National Player of the Year awards, and became the first player to sweep every major award twice in a row.
The last player in the All-Rookie First Team starters is French center and power forward, Alex Sarr. He was drafted by the Washington Wizards and has easily been their best player this season. The basis of his skills come from his defensive abilities. While he is lacking some offense, if the Wizards can guide him correctly, he may end up being a dominant force in the NBA.
The All-Rookie First Team is a good glimpse into the future talent that will dominate the NBA for years to come. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is a prime example of what a rookie can achieve in his first few years in the league. With the ever-increasing competitiveness of the NBA, some players and teams have suffered by not looking to the future, with the older players in the league struggling to stay fit and healthy.
Will the All-Star rookies of this season improve even more for next year?
The landscape of the NBA is evolving. The teams that spent years at the top of the NBA are now faced by a new, young set of rookies that aim to change the game entirely. The All-Rookie First Team selection is the best example of which teams and players are looking to make an impact in the future. With this year’s season playoffs taking place, the younger players of the NBA have gotten the most attention and media speculation after the MVP award has gone to a certain Canadian-born player. Can one of the All-Rookie First Team players have a breakout season next year? We hope so.
