There must’ve been something in the water at the colleges of America last year, because the NBA Draft Class of 2024 has produced rookies who are conquering the league.
This years draft picks, not only just the first few picks, but up to the top 20 picks, have come to show the world that they are the future Kobe Bryant’s, Lebron James’ and Stephen Curry’s, of basketball.
Though the 2003 draft has been often seen as the ‘golden draft’, where LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, Chris Bosh and Carmello Anthony were among the top draft picks, the 2024 draft wouldn’t be far behind.
Despite that the actual season has not started yet for the NBA 2024/2025 season, (due to start 27 th October 2024), multiple rookie superstars have started to appear left, right and centre.
Names such as, Emmanuel Mudiay, Stanley Johnson, Jahlil Okafor, Rashad Vaughn and the number one pick of the NBA 2024 draft, Karl Anthony Towns, have absolutely dominated the first few preseason games.
7 out of the 20 first draft picks have experienced a starting 5 experience already, as their potential and talent has been too much to stay on the bench. Even those who are starting on the bench are playing some big minutes, ranging from 20-35 minutes per game.
Emmanuel Mudiay came out with a 3 killer performances, averaging 7 points per game, 5 assists per game and 3 rebounds per game, and in one of those games he received best player of the game, with 17 points, 1 rebound and 5 assists.
Rashad Vaugh and Karl Anthony Towns have only needed to play one game to show they are ready for the big league, with Vaughn going cash money with 20 points, 3 rebounds and 2 assists, and Towns scoring 18 points, grabbing 5 rebounds and picking up 1 assist as well.
However, the standout in my eyes is Stanley Johnson , who honestly I had no idea about until after his first preseason game, where he dominated the score board with 26 points, along with 3 rebounds and dishing out 4 assists. His second game was of equal greatness, where despite not picking up as many points (12 points in this game), he did work on the boards, grabbing 7 rebounds and set up some teammates with 2 assists.
There is an element of the game that these Rookies are struggling with though, and that is they are picking up way too many personal fouls per game. Rookies need to keep their hands out, bodies straight and get good positioning on defence if they want to be able to play as many minutes as possible, instead of sitting on the bench because they are on 4 or 5 fouls in the early periods of the game. This however is something that they will quickly learn to adapt to, with the help of coaches and experiences on the court.
This year’s Rookie showcase will be one of the best that we have seen for a while, as to get into the showcase will be a massive competition for players when you have draft picks of 15 and higher already having big and memorable games, and becoming superstars and almost the face for their teams.
Who will be rookie of the year? Only time will tell my friends, but it’s safe to say it will be a battle of the fittest.