Stephon Castle Stays on Top of Rookie Ladder Amidst Rising Competition

ATLANTA, March 17, 2025 — In the latest NBA Rookie Ladder analysis, Stephon Castle of the San Antonio Spurs remains the frontrunner for the 2024 Rookie of the Year award, marking another week at the top following his impressive performances. Since mid-January, Castle has consistently held the lead, especially excelling since the All-Star Break.

Castle’s effectiveness on the court is evident, as he has averaged 13.5 points, 3.2 rebounds, and 3.5 assists per game. This week, despite a slight drop in shooting performance against the Dallas Mavericks, where he hit only 4 of 12 attempts, he still managed to contribute significantly with five rebounds, six assists, and two steals. Spurs coach Jason Kidd commended Castle, noting his athleticism and playmaking skills, saying, “He has one of the best mentors in Chris Paul. You can see that he has a rhythm and is starting to understand it, playing at a high level.”

Other notable contenders in the Rookie of the Year race include Memphis Grizzlies’ Jaylen Wells, who ranks second with averages of 11 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 1.7 assists per game. Wells has faced challenges lately, scoring in single digits in four consecutive games, but he remains a pivotal player for Memphis.

Atlanta Hawks rookie Zaccharie Risacher has made significant strides as well, climbing to third place with averages of 11.7 points and 3.6 rebounds. His improved performance since the All-Star break has been a crucial factor in his rise. After a standout game against the Philadelphia 76ers, teammate Guerschon Yabusele praised Risacher’s evolving talent and determination to improve.

The Rookie class of 2024 has shown a mix of promise and inconsistency overall, with only five rookies averaging 10 points or more in 20 or more games this season. Unlike previous years that featured strong offensive outputs from rookies, this year’s class has been more muted statistically. For comparison, 14 rookies averaged double-digit scoring in the 2019-20 season, highlighting the relative struggles of this year’s newcomers.

For further analysis on other rookies, Utah Jazz’s Isaiah Collier has also been noteworthy, with a significant increase in his assist numbers, leading all first-year players with over six assists per game since January. Meanwhile, newcomers like Kelel Ware and Zach Edey continue to develop their skills, with Ware averaging 8.5 points and 6.5 rebounds and Edey contributing with 9.2 points and 7.9 rebounds per game.

The National Basketball Association continues to monitor the awards closely, with insights on Rookie of the Year odds fluctuating as players rise and fall in their performances. Castle’s consistent ability to lead the pack, paired with other rookies striving for recognition, suggests an exciting close to the season as teams push for playoff positions and individuals aim for individual accolades.