The 2nd week of the 2023-2024 NBA season has begun! This season is filled with loads of anticipation for rookies. Some rookies have exceeded expectations and some have not. Here’s a glimpse into how a handful of the rookies drafted in the first round (Chet Holgrem included) have performed.
The 4 arguably most anticipated rookies to watch were the number 1-3 picks, Victor Wembenyama, Brandon Miller, and Scoot Henderson as well as former number 1 pick Chet Holgrem.
The number 1 pick in the draft, regarded as the most anticipated prospect since LeBron James, Victor Wembenyama, has done extremely well as expected. Wembenyama seems to do something outstanding everytime he goes on the court. Wembenyama is averaging a whopping 20.5 points and 8.2 rebounds on 48.9% from the field. Albeit, he isn’t doing the greatest when it comes to 3 point efficiency and turnovers, the eye test has still been very impressive.
Chet Holgrem, the man arguably competing for the rookie of the year award, has also been performing great. Holgrem looks like a seasoned veteran when he’s on the court. Holgrem is averaging 17.2 points, 7.3 rebounds, and 2.3 blocks per game shooting 62.5% from the field and a whopping 56.5% from the 3-point line.
Brandon Miller has proved every watcher wrong. Miller didn’t have the brightest games during the summer league but has been performing extremely well. Miller has looked extremely smooth throughout his games and has shown off how athletic he is via his posterizing dunk against Daniel Gafford recently. Miller is averaging 13.2 points and 4.5 rebounds on 43.9% from the field.
Scoot Henderson is being argued as the biggest disappointment in the draft. Albeit Henderson has put his outstanding burst on display, he also hasn’t been aggressive scoring the ball and has extremely struggled with efficiency. Henderson is averaging 8.8 points and 4.6 assists shooting a measly 34.6% from the field and 9.5% from the 3-point line.
The top drafts are performing stupendously, but that’s not to be overlooked by the other players. There are some dark horses in this class as well, an example is the 12th pick in the draft, Dereck Lively II. Lively had one of the best debuts for this draft class yet where he put up 16 points and 10 rebounds against Wembenyama. Lively also seems to be the most efficient scorer in the draft class averaging 8.8 points per game and 8.2 rebounds shooting 77.4% from the field. Lively has filled a great role for the Dallas Mavericks immediately, performing as their lob threat and rim protector.
Other noticeable players in the draft class include the Thompson twins Amen and Ausar Thomposon, showcasing the potential OTE has had on young basketball players. Another noticeable player is Cason Wallace, who’s looking like the second most efficient player in the draft behind Dereck Lively II.
The rest of the rookies haven’t necessarily performed well, an example being Kris Murray, the brother of popular Kings player Keegan Murray hasn’t performed to the expectations people had when compared to his brothers performances. Murray was the 23rd pick in the draft and was drafted by the Portland Trail Blazers. Murray has played only 2 out of the 4 and averaged a measly 5.5 minutes, 0.5 rebounds, 0 points, 0.5 steals, on 0% efficiency. Most of the rookies ares similar performance wise to this.
