2025 NBA Rookie Team Picks: Jaylen Wells & Stephon Castle Lead The Way

In lieu of a final Rookie Ladder, I’ll reveal and discuss my choices for the 2025 NBA All-Rookie Teams. Scouts thought of this as one of the weaker rookie classes in recent memory and that’s held up for the most part. Elite draft classes tend to feature at least a few obvious, breakout rookie stars and that’s just not the case this year.

Using Estimated Plus-Minus as a benchmark, only one player in this class (Jaylen Wells) currently ranks in the 75th percentile or better. Assuming this holds through the end of the season, this rookie class would be the first in the EPM database (since 2002) without a single rookie above 75th percentile impact.

No rookie this season averaged 30 or more minutes per game, with Bub Carrington’s 29.6 leading the group. Since the turn of the century, 2017 was the only other rookie class featuring zero players averaging 30 or more minutes. Malcolm Brogdon took 2017’s Rookie of the Year crown in a class oft-compared to 2024-25. 

This year’s class only has one 15-plus point-per-game scorer in Jared McCain, who missed most of the season with an injury. The only other classes since 2000 without a 15-point scorer were 2000-01 and the aforementioned 2017 class. Points, minutes and EPM aren’t definitive metrics by any means, but they can help us paint this class as a historic outlier.

The class’s overall weakness relative to history doesn’t mean it won’t produce great NBA players. That 2017 class, for example, has produced six All-Stars, three All-NBA players and plenty more valuable contributors. This year’s All-Rookie Teams are especially hard to parse; there isn’t much separation in terms of impact and value between the best and 10th-best rookie.

While my first team group was easy to determine, I considered nearly 20 names for the second and third teams. Let’s not ramble much longer. I’ll dive into my two All-Rookie Teams for 2024-25, including a third team to highlight more players. 

First Team

Jared McCain

All-Rookie Teams don’t have a minutes or games played requirement, which lets me squeeze McCain onto the first team. Despite playing just 23 games because of a meniscus injury, McCain’s peak performance far outclassed any other rookie’s. Beyond his counting stats and excellent efficiency (59.1 percent true shooting), his impact as a lead perimeter creator far exceeded expectations.

He placed second among rookies in usage rate (24.4 percent), ranking in the 87th percentile league-wide. He elevated his game when Tyrese Maxey left the floor; in 343 minutes without Maxey, McCain averaged 26.4 points (60.3 percent true shooting) and 4.6 assists (2.0 assist-to-turnover ratio) per 75 possessions. With Maxey on the floor, those numbers dipped to 16.6 points (56.2 percent true shooting) and 2.7 assists (1.1 assist-to-turnover) per 75 possessions.

In lineups without Tyrese Maxey, Jared McCain improved his scoring rate (16.6 -> 26.4 per 75), true shooting (56.2% -> 60.3%) and assist-to-turnover ratio (1.1 -> 2.0).

He was a wildly impressive lead creator. Excited to see how he builds on it next season. pic.twitter.com/nQHAQeer1M

— Sportscasting NBA (@SportcastingNBA) April 7, 2025

He walked into the league as a solidified elite 3-point shooter, knocking down 38.3 percent of his 8.3 triples per 75 possession. McCain’s relocation and off-ball savvy reminds of all-time great spacers and he’s a dynamic pull-up shooter from deep and midrange. Compared to his lone college season, McCain took big strides in pressuring the rim and passing from a live dribble.

It’s all too easy to forget what Jared McCain accomplished this season. He hasn’t played for months, but no rookie claimed his mantle in the time he missed. McCain built a strong foundation to grow from going forward with probable stardom in his future.

Jaylen Wells

I can’t say I expected Wells, the 39th pick in the draft, to lock himself into an All-Rookie spot (and, possibly, my choice for Rookie of the Year). He’s exceeded any expectation heading into the season, finding a home as a key starter for a Memphis Grizzlies team that will make the playoffs, despite its recent dysfunction.

On the surface, he looks like a rock solid 3-and-D wing, though that would undersell his contributions. Wells has made 35.6 percent of his 6.6 3-point attempts per 75 possessions, but his slashing sets him apart from most rookie shooters. Only one rookie wing (Stephon Castle) eclipsed Wells’ 4.3 drives per game and Wells’ efficiency on drives was almost 10 percent higher.

Memphis’ offense, which eschews screens and handoff in favor of drives off of the catch paired with circular off-ball motion, necessitates some self-creation chops. Wells, despite not showcasing much live dribble scoring at Washington State, created plenty of shots off of the dribble, weaponizing his size, touch, footwork and change of pace to find angles and windows.

His steal and block numbers (1.0 percent steal rate, 0.4 percent block rate) can’t encapsulate his defensive impact. Wells’ plus-0.4 Defensive EPM ranks second among rookies, largely due to his work on the ball. The Grizzlies constantly tasked Wells with checking the opposing offense’s most dangerous player, tossing their second-round rookie into the flames.

Let’s rattle off some matchup numbers for Wells, acknowledging the limitations with this data — 111 possessions against Devin Booker (3-of-19 shooting), 97 against Anthony Edwards (5-of-15), 60 against James Harden (7-of-16) and 63 against Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (6-of-14).

Few rookies, regardless of the class, contribute to winning on competitive teams in a notable way. Wells has done that, landing as a critical two-way starter for a Western Conference playoff team, despite significant asks from his coaches on both ends of the floor.

Stephon Castle

The betting favorite for Rookie of the Year hasn’t excelled like most top rookies, but excitement around his first season is warranted. He’s starred on big stages this year, notching quite a few high-scoring games and notable defensive performances. Among rookies, Castle ranks second in points (14.4) and fourth in assists per game (3.9).

Handing Castle the offensive keys — which is the correct long-term development strategy — resulted in poor efficiency across the board, He’s posted a true shooting percentage (51.6) six points below league average. Castle has shot 28.3 percent on a solid 5.6 3-point attempts per 100 possessions, as defenses dared him to shoot all season.

Most rookies struggle to score efficiently, though. and we shouldn’t dismiss his offensive contributions because of it. He ranks first among rookies in usage rate (25.6 percent) and third in on-ball percentage (26.6), carrying a larger on-ball load than most rookies. Only one regular rotation rookie (Isaiah Collier) took more unassisted shots than Castle (45.4 percent unassisted).

Glimpses of driving creation could form the outlines of his ceiling as an on-ball creator. He’s converted under 50 percent of his shots at the hoop in the half-court, but Castle flashed the change of direction and shift necessary to create advantages and pressure the basket. Advantage creation further unlocks his excellent passing vision, where he can punish tilted defenses with all sorts of reads.

Proponents of Stephon Castle’s upside will point to driving flashes like these — under control, sudden east-west creation and deceleration/varied footwork at the hoop.

If he develops into a star, slashing will be the bedrock of his game. pic.twitter.com/1PuEiVjfJA

— Sportscasting NBA (@SportcastingNBA) April 8, 2025

The San Antonio Spurs tasked Castle with checking elite perimeter players and he logged impressive defensive tape while chasing the likes of Stephen Curry all over the floor. He’s a versatile defensive piece, thriving as a screen navigator, on-ball stopper and weak-side helper, even if his defensive impact slipped as the season went on, especially after Victor Wembanyama’s injury.

Castle, unlike most 20-year-old rookies, understands the minutiae of NBA basketball. Whether it’s cutting into space, picking out shooters with a ball screen or helping on defense, his feel for the game on both ends is clear. That will serve him well down the line, even if he doesn’t improve his scoring and creation to star levels.

Zaccharie Risacher

It took some time, but the top pick in the 2024 Draft found his sea legs. We can’t fully ignore his slow start, but Risacher’s efficiency splits after Jan. 1 (59.4 percent true shooting, 39 percent on threes) took a notable leap compared to his 2024 portion of the season (49.2 percent true shooting, 28.9 percent on threes). Though his season-long true shooting (2.7 percent lower than league average) is pedestrian for a rookie in an off-ball role, we should highlight this upward trend.

While his shooting took time to stabilize, Risacher has impressed on defense throughout the year. It’s rare for wings as tall as him to evade screens as he does. His agility and footspeed shine on the ball, where he frequently checks players much shorter than him. Stronger players easily move Risacher, but we expect teenage prospects to struggle with NBA physicality.

Scouts pitched Risacher as a 6-foot-9, sweet-shooting wing and that’s begun to materialize. He’s attempting 6.4 triples per 75 possessions and sunk 35.5 percent of his catch-and-shoot threes. Risacher sprints around the floor and pulls from wonky platforms with a quick, high release. 

He’s unleashing his handle as he settles against NBA defenses; Risacher leads all non-big rookies in paint touches per game (2.5). His shooting volume opens avenues for him to attack off of the catch, where he can sneak through defenses with a loose, fluid handle. Nearly 80 percent of his makes at the rim come via assists and he shot poorly at the basket in the half-court this season (48.9 percent).

Similar to Stephon Castle, Risacher clearly understands how to add value on a basketball court. Even when his shots aren’t falling, his sharp off-ball movement and decisive attacking are key complementary traits, especially playing next to an engine like Trae Young. He looks poised to develop into a valuable starter who will dip his toes in the playoff waters this season.

Zach Edey

Edey’s rookie season has been polarizing, but his overall impact lays undoubtedly positive. His highly efficient scoring has translated to the NBA and he sits second among rookies in true shooting (62.8 percent). He’s a monster on the glass, ranking second in the league in offensive rebounding rate (18 percent).

NBA defenses have limited Edey’s interior dominance to some extent, especially in the short midrange (37 percent). He hasn’t handled NBA physicality as well as he did in college, though he’s still strong for a rookie in that area. Edey trades intermediate scoring for outside shooting in the NBA. After attempting two triples last season at Purdue, he’s made 37 percent of his 27 threes as a rookie.

For better and for worse, his presence warps the court. Opponents must pay extra attention to the offensive glass and exercise caution when scoring at the rim. But teams have exploited him at times, pulling him out of the paint and forcing him to cover ground, which he hasn’t been able to do effectively in many instances.

I’d categorize his overall defensive impact as solid, especially for a rookie. He’s a terror defending the rim, posting an elite block rate (5.7 percent) and holding opponents to 5.2 percent lower than their average when contesting at the rim. Drivers often won’t challenge him at the hoop; opposing rim frequency drops by 2.7 percent with Edey on the court.

He hasn’t played as many minutes as the three other non-McCain First Team members, and that should matter when considering his impact. The Grizzlies haven’t fully tailored to Edey’s strength, limiting his post touches and forcing him to defend high in space. He’s a unique, high-variance weapon for a playoff team, though, something most rookies can’t claim.

Second Team

Isaiah Collier

It might surprise some to see Collier land on my second team, given his dreadful efficiency and impact metrics. Collier ranks in the eighth percentile in true shooting (49.4 percent), fifth percentile in 3-point shooting (24.9 percent) and first percentile in turnover rate (25 percent). Phenomenal playmaking offsets these negatives. Collier’s had a superb passing season as a coveted advantage creator on a wretched Utah Jazz team.

By nearly all metrics, he grades as one of the NBA’s most prolific playmakers. Among NBA players with at least 1,000 total minutes, he ranks ninth in on-ball percentage (40.5 percent), seventh in potential assists per 100 possessions (20.9) and third in 3-point assists per 100 (5.5). 

An elite first step lets him live at the basket, constantly bending defenses and capitalizing with tight-window interior and exterior passing. Head coach Will Hardy’s offense manufactures space as well as any scheme in the league, but Collier transcends it to tilt defenses off of the bounce all by himself.

Though his poor efficiency indicates plenty of room for scoring growth, he received as little help as any rookie. Utah’s talent-devoid roster didn’t allow for many easy buckets — 60.7 percent of Collier makes came unassisted, the most of any rookie this season. His decision-making and scoring craft, especially outside of the paint, must improve, but the draft gods dealt him a rough hand.

The case against Collier this season is obvious, especially considering his spotty defensive effort. He’s made the best of a poor context, though, playing like one of the league’s better playmakers. That alone deserves recognition and bodes well for his future on the ball.

Matas Buzelis

If Chicago Bulls head coach Billy Donovan leaned into Buzelis earlier in the season, he’d be an easy lock for first team. He’s hitting his stride late in the season, landing a consistent rotation spot for a Bulls team destined for the Play-In Tournament. Unwaveringly confident with the ball, Buzelis will try to shoot over, drive through or dunk on whoever he matches up with.

Since entering Chicago’s regular rotation at the start of February, he’s averaging 13 points on a true shooting percentage (59.1) comfortably above league average. He drains threes off of the catch in Chicago’s high-paced offense and capitalizes on cracks with explosive, aggressive driving to the rim.

His offense garners more buzz, but Buzelis has been most impressive on the defensive end. He suffers from the same strength deficiencies as most rookies, but his energy and instincts have helped him thrive as a weak-side rim protector. He’s posted a 4.4 percent block rate this season, which ranks third in the entire NBA among wing players.

Buzelis exudes fearlessness, rising up to challenge high-flyers while defending the basket. Rim protecting wings with his potential on the ball can develop into high-value defenders, and Buzelis already adds value there as a 20-year-old rookie. He’s a critical rotation piece for a feisty Bulls team with some of this Draft’s highest two-way potential.

Ron Holland

Holland snatched the top spot on my 2024 Big Board for his elite athletic tools, creation upside and defensive intensity. Yet he’s somehow exceeded my expectations for this season, contributing to winning on a revitalized Detroit Pistons team. Highly impactful in his minutes, Holland seamlessly scaled down into a low-usage role after functioning as a lead initiator with his G League Ignite team last year. 

He’s a solidly positive defender as a rookie, something most first-year players, especially teenagers, can’t claim. Few NBA players match his incessant motor. He’s always flying around the court to cover up gaps and grab rebounds. His athleticism defending the ball and help-side playmaking have helped fuel Detroit’s defensive turnaround this year.

Poor 3-point shooting (23.3 percent), paired with unwavering confidence, tanked Holland’s overall efficiency. But his 56.2 percent true shooting clip ranks in the top half of all rookies and near the top for non-centers. Holland’s excellent runner game — he’s made a scorching 58.4 percent of his short midrange shots this year — adds to his offensive diversity.

Relentless driving helps mitigate some of Holland’s shooting woes and let him pressure the hoop with his elite first step and explosiveness. He’s managed a solid 56.1 percent clip at the hoop in the half-court while owning the third-highest rim volume (5.3 shots per 75) of any rookie wing. 

Despite his projection as a raw, high-upside project, Holland has carved a crucial rotation spot for a playoff-bound Pistons team. That adaptability further suggests a high ceiling when he earns more on-ball reps in the future.

Alex Sarr

Viewing Sarr’s rookie season through the lens of future potential could lead one to argue for him as the highest-ceiling prospect in the class. Washington Wizards head coach Brian Keefe threw all of his rookies into the meat grinder, featuring them heavily throughout the season. Irrespective of the long-term benefits, that likely contributed to Sarr’s incredibly poor efficiency (48.3 percent true shooting).

Efficiency as a gauge of impact can be misleading, especially for rookies. Sarr ranked third in usage rate (23 percent) and second in minutes per game (27.2) among rookies, earning a longer creation leash than any other NBA freshman. Washington instructed Sarr to play through his mistakes, which led to some impressive scoring performances.

His playmaking has been superb and he’s second among rookie bigs in assist rate (13.3 percent). He’s a smooth floor processor who’s made sound decisions all season long from multiple spots on the floor. Sarr’s flashes of live dribble passing are most enticing, but he’s a snappy short roll and advantage situation passer.

The Wizards entrusted Sarr with a significant defensive load and he’s acted as their primary rim protector. Ranking fourth among rookies in block rate (4.4 percent), Sarr has flashed the high defensive potential he offered as a prospect. At nearly 7 feet tall, he’s a rare mover, capable of covering ground and erasing mistakes like few NBA centers can. 

With Sarr on the floor, Washington’s defense improves by two points per 100 possessions. Strength development and better defensive teammates could help him lead a frightening defense as he matures. Even as a rookie, his defense, playmaking and perimeter creation help him earn a second team nod.

Kel’el Ware

Once entering the Miami Heat’s rotation midway through the season, Ware provided a welcome counterpunch to Bam Adebayo in the frontcourt. His shot-blocking excellence translated to the NBA and he’s posted a block rate (4.6 percent) in the 91st percentile. Ware towers over opponents, walling off the rim with great size, length and vertical explosion. 

His rare combination of size, explosive leaping, elasticity and touch serves him well on the offensive end. He’s excelled as an interior scorer, converting 69.8 percent of his shots at the rim and 46.8 percent of his non-rim twos en route to an excellent 60.4 percent true shooting clip. Despite shooting just 31.8 percent from deep, his willingness to space the floor creates some offensive value.

He’s more than a lob finisher and ancillary playmaker. Ware’s touch lets him score in the post and shoot floaters as a release valve. His decision-making sometimes falters, but this role versatility makes him a valuable option for head coach Erik Spoelstra. 

It’s feasible to argue Ware’s peaks match or exceed any other rookie. The value he can bring as a versatile rim protector with real scoring upside already shines through, even with his rookie faults on both ends.

Third Team

Dalton Knecht

Tristan Da Silva

Donovan Clingan

Quinten Post

Yves Missi