Top 10 Best NBA Rookies 2023-2024 Rankings Season Preview

Ranking the best NBA Rookies going into the 2023-2024 NBA Season as Victor Wembanyama of the San Antonio Spurs leads the way

By admin | September 11, 2023

NBA Rookie Predictions 2023-2024 Rankings

The 2023-2024 NBA Season is slowly approaching as we roll into mid-September. As NBA teams, NBA players, and NBA fans get prepared for the upcoming season, the excitement level continues to build for what the season has in store for everyone. This includes the next wave of potential NBA superstars drafted during the 2023 NBA Draft. As you start to look at the Top 10 Best NBA Rookies 2023-2024 Rankings Preview the group of rookies looks promising including top overall pick Victor Wembanyama.

Wembanyama who was drafted number one overall by the San Antonio Spurs enters the upcoming season as the top rookie to watch while also being considered a once in a generation talent. The former Metropolitans 92 stand out star who is from Le Chesnay, France has great size at 7 foot 4 inches while also having the athleticism and skills to run the floor and shoot from around the perimeter.

As all eyes will be on the Spurs rookie, some of the other top NBA rookies enter this season includes Brandon Miller of the Charlotte Hornets, Scoot Henderson of the Portland Trail Blazers, Anthony Black of the Orlando Magic, and Amen Thompson of the Houston Rockets. Here is a look at the Top 10 Best NBA Rookies 2023-2024 Rankings Preview.

Honorable Mention

Jalen Hood-Schifino

Team: Los Angeles Lakers

Position: Point Guard

Just missing the Top 10 NBA Rookies 2023-2024 Rankings Preview is the Los Angeles Lakers first round pick Jalen Hood-Schifino. The former Indiana Hoosiers guard and playmaker arrives in the NBA after a strong season playing inside of the Big Ten conference.

The 6 foot 6 inch guard averaged 13.5 points per game last season to go along with 4.1 rebounds and 3.7 assists per game. While a return for a sophomore season in college may have increased his draft stock next season, overall, Hood-Schifino has the size, vision, and ball handling skills to develop into an everyday point guard in the NBA.

Cason Wallace

Team: Oklahoma City Thunder

Position: Guard

Another interesting NBA rookie to watch this season is the Oklahoma City Thunder first round pick Cason Wallace. Wallace who was selected number 10 overall by the Dallas Mavericks then traded to the Thunder has all the tangibles to be a strong guard in the NBA.

The former five-star McDonald’s All-American put together a short sample of his abilities in his one season with the Kentucky Wildcats last season averaging 11.7 points and 4.3 assists per game.

Wallace has the court vision to develop into a traditional point guard in the NBA while also having tremendous defensive presence to force havoc on opposing guards around the league. Big question entering his rookie season is how he will fit in on a very young Thunder lineup.

Top 10 Best NBA Rookies

10. Keyonte George

Team: Utah Jazz

Position: Point Guard

Coming in at number 10 on the Top 10 NBA Rookies 2023-2024 Rankings Preview list is the former Baylor Bears guard Keyonte George. George is from Texas, a former five star recruit and one of the top overall freshmen entering college basketball last season.

His presence, skills, and abilities to play both guard positions makes him an intriguing rookie entering the 2023-24 NBA Season.

Despite posting a strong stat line including averaging 15.3 points per game as a freshman, George dropped to the 16th pick with the Utah Jazz drafting him. George has the physical tools to get to the rim but also showed his potential to shoot from behind the three point line.

9. Gradey Dick

Team: Toronto Raptors

Position: Guard/Forward

Only time will tell how good Gradey Dick of the Toronto Raptors will be during his NBA rookie season as well as over the course of his career. One thing for certain is entering the upcoming 2023-24 NBA schedule, Dick has all the tangibles to produce as one of the top overall NBA rookies.

Dick enters his rookie season sitting at 6 foot 8 inches to allow him play at the small forward position but also the ball handling skills but more importantly the shooting ability from both mid-range and three point territory to play shooting guard. The future looks promising in Toronto with Dick joining young talented star Scottie Barnes above the border.

8. Dereck Lively II

Team: Dallas Mavericks

Position: Center

Expectations are set high for the Dallas Mavericks center Dereck Lively II as his NBA career gets set to start during the upcoming season. Despite not putting it all together in his only season with the Duke Blue Devils, the physical tangibles including height at 7 foot 1 inches makes him an intriguing NBA prospect.

The former five-star recruit from Bellefonte, Pennsylvania will benefit from playing with two of the top guards in the NBA in Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving during his rookie season.

Lively II will be a threat down low both offensively as well as on the glass while also showing his ability to pass a big man. In addition, the Mavericks rookie should be a solid contributor on the defensive end of the floor.

7. Ausar Thompson

Team: Detroit Pistons

Position: Forward

After electing to skip playing college basketball, Ausar Thompson put together two strong seasons within the Overtime Elite basketball league while taking home MVP honors while averaging 16.3 points per game.

Thompson is as athletic as any player in the draft while being able to score and find the open man on the hardwood. Furthermore, Thompson may rank as one of the top passers within the draft class making him a viable option on a very young Detroit Pistons team.

The Pistons forward will also be a valuable asset with his defensive abilities including having the ability to block shots, attack the rim for rebounds and steal passes.

6. Jarace Walker

Team: Indiana Pacers

Position: Forward

After a strong showing during the 2023 NBA Summer League the Indiana Pacers first round pick Jarace Walker enters the season as one of the top defensive players among the NBA Draft class.

While Walker has the potential to rank as one of the top defenders in the league as he develops, his ability to catch and shoot has the potential to help him become a viable scoring threat overtime.

In his only season with the Houston Cougars, Walker helped the Cougars become a potential NCAA Title contender, while averaging 11.2 points per game, 1.3 blocked shots, one steal, and 6.8 rebounds per game. In addition, Walker showcased over his career the ability to find the open man while being a solid passer with the ball in his hand.

5. Amen Thompson

Team: Houston Rockets

Position: Forward

Rounding out the top five on the Top 10 NBA Rookies 2023-2024 Rankings Preview is Amen Thompson of the Houston Rockets. Like his twin brother Ausar Thompson, Amen elected to skip playing college basketball despite being a ranked a five-star recruit and join the Overtime Elite basketball league.

Thompson is coming off a strong 2022-23 season averaging just over 16 points per game (16.3). In addition to being a viable scoring threat, Thompson is a dynamic overall player who can do it all on both ends of the floor.

The Rockets rookie has great court vision and jumping ability allows the forward to have the ability to take it to the rim or find the open shooter.

4. Anthony Black

Team: Orlando Magic

Position: Guard

The future continues to take shape for the Orlando Magic after landing Paolo Banchero last season, and now Anthony Black during the first round of the 2023 NBA Draft. Black elected to enter the NBA draft after his freshman season with the Arkansas Razorbacks.

In 36 games last season Black posed 12.8 points per game while shooting 45.3 percent from the field and just over 30 percent from behind the three point line.

However, his unselfishness and willingness to find the open shooter makes him an ideal guard to run the Magic offense during his rookie season.

3. Scoot Henderson

Team: Portland Trail Blazers

Position: Shooting Guard

When it comes to the top three picks in the 2023 NBA Draft each stood out from the rest of the draft class with both Scoot Henderson and Brandon Miller being discussed as viable options with the second overall pick.

In the end Henderson went third overall while also landing at three among the top rookies for the upcoming NBA season. Henderson, who entered the NBA after spending time, elected to graduate early while spending last season with the NBA G League Ignite.

In 19 games last season for the Ignite Henderson averaged 16.5 points per game while also adding 6.5 assists, and 5.4 rebounds per game. Expectations are set high for Henderson; however, a trade of Damian Lillard may open up playing time and even higher expectations during his rookie season in the NBA.

2. Brandon Miller

Team: Charlotte Hornets

Position: Small Forward

Another one and done college star landing among the best NBA rookies entering the 2023-24 NBA season is the Charlotte Hornets forward Brandon Miller.

Over the course of his freshman season Miller demonstrated his play making abilities and athleticism while scoring at least 20 points in 14 different games including a career high 41 points while leading the Alabama Crimson Tide to an overtime win.

Miller’s ability to score makes him a strong candidate to take home the NBA Rookie of the Year Award. The former Crimson Tide star can shoot from behind the three point line connecting on 38.4 percent of his attempts last season.

1. Victor Wembanyama

Team: San Antonio Spurs

Position: Center

In at number one on the Top 10 Best NBA Rookies 2023-2024 Rankings Preview is one of the most hyped up NBA rookies since possibly Zion Williamson. It is hard to look past the physical tangibles of Victor Wembanyama of the San Antonio Spurs.

Wembanyama sits at 7 foot 4 inches but also has the physical tools and athleticism that will allow him to run the floor as well as shoot from all over the floor.

In addition to being strong on the offensive end of the floor, the Spurs rookie’s length will allow him to be a strong contributor on the glass as well as a big time shot blocker.

How would you rank the best NBA rookies going into the 2023-2024 NBA Season? Rank below to be added in the NBA Rookie Rankings.