2025 NBA Rookie of the Year Race Heats Up Ahead of All-Star Weekend

San Francisco, California — As the NBA season approaches its final two months, the race for the Kia Rookie of the Year has intensified. Leading the pack is San Antonio Spurs guard Stephon Castle, who has showcased consistent performance despite changes in his playing role. Heading into All-Star Weekend, Castle holds the top spot on the Rookie Ladder, with a breakout performance of 33 points against the Charlotte Hornets marking his standout moment this season.

Castle, who has shifted from a starter to coming off the bench, continues to impress with averages of 12.7 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 3.6 assists per game. His ability to thrive in a fast-paced game has become evident, especially in bench units devoid of bigger players. “We usually go ‘no big’ in that unit, so we play really fast, and I thrive in transition,” Castle noted.

Memphis Grizzlies rookies Zach Edey and Jaylen Wells are close behind in the rankings, taking the second and third spots respectively. Edey, measuring 7-foot-4, leads all rookies in rebounds (7.7 rpg) and blocks (1.2 bpg), while Wells, with an average of 11.1 points, continues to find opportunities despite the influx of healthier teammates.

New Orleans Pelicans‘ Yves Missi and Miami Heat‘s Kel’el Ware round out the top five. Missi has shown promise, particularly with his rebounding skills, while Ware has exhibited inconsistency in shooting, often affecting his contributions on the floor.

As of February 14, 2025, a wave of rookies found their two-way contracts converted into standard NBA contracts, providing them with greater security as the season continues. Noteworthy names in this transition include Golden State’s Quinten Post and Philadelphia’s Justin Edwards.

Meanwhile, the All-Star celebration marks a new chapter for rookie players. Thanks to the recently introduced mini-tournament format, several top rookies will participate in the festivities. Among those participating are 11 members from the Class of 2024, spread across various teams. Houston Rockets swingman Reed Sheppard will represent the G League in the Rising Stars tournament, which serves as the prelude to the main All-Star events on Sunday.

This year’s All-Star Weekend is characterized by its innovative approach, where teams compete not only for individual accolades but for a chance to shine on a significant platform. As we look forward, the spotlight is on players like Castle, who have demonstrated resilience and talent, possibly setting the stage for what could be an electrifying conclusion to the rookie race.