Sports

NBA Rookie Ladder Vol. 6: Stephon Castle Grabs Top Spot

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By
Ben Pfeifer
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Ben Pfeifer Sports Editor

Ben Pfeifer graduated from the University of Missouri with degrees in Psychology and Journalism. He has worked in basketball scouting covering the NBA and the draft for over a half-decade, working for various outlets. Now, he covers the NBA, the draft and high school basketball.

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Sports Editor

Published20 Feb 2025

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NBA Rookie Ladder

With the All-Star Break in the rearview mirror, it’s time for another NBA Rookie Ladder update (here’s our last one). Let’s dive into how this rookie class is faring heading into the final stretch of the season.

As always, we’re only including rookies who play more than 15 minutes per game (rounded up). Tier placement matters more than the exact rankings within those tiers. As samples increase and games become more important, we’ll tighten up the top tier to include only the most deserving rookies.

*Currently injured

**On G League assignment

Jared McCain Memorial Tier One 

*Jared McCain

Impact Rotation Player

  1. Stephon Castle
  2. Jaylen Wells
  3. Zach Edey
  4. Kel’el Ware
  5. Ajay Mitchell*

Positive Play By Rookie Standards

  1. Zaccharie Risacher
  2. Alex Sarr
  3. Matas Buzelis
  4. Tristan Da Silva
  5. Yves Missi
  6. Ron Holland II
  7. Kyle Filipowski
  8. Jonathan Mogbo
  9. Carlton Carrington
  10. Donovan Clingan
  11. Dalton Knecht
  12. Isaiah Collier

Flashes/Inconsistent Play

  1. Ryan Dunn
  2. Ja’Kobe Walter
  3. Kyshawn George
  4. Justin Edwards
  5. Oso Ighodaro
  6. Keaton Wallace
  7. KJ Simpson
  8. Jamal Shead
  9. Tidjane Salaun
  10. Cody Williams

Stephon Castle

Stephon Castle’s recent tear elevates him to the top of this rookie ladder in a highly fluid class. Since our previous ladder, Castle has averaged 18.4 points, 4.1 boards and 3.1 assists on an excellent 61.1 percent true shooting clip, while shooting 41 percent from deep. That 3-point shooting will regress, but it’s encouraging nonetheless to watch him progress.

As he becomes more comfortable, he’s flashed more on-ball creation, especially on drives. Defenses naturally back off of Castle, daring him to beat them with his weaker scoring tools. He’s continuing to experiment and tinker with his off-dribble shooting, more willing to pull when defenders go under screens and score in the intermediate.

Castle’s defense and passing help him maintain the top rookie slot, even with his scoring woes. The San Antonio Spurs’ deadline moves — headlined by acquiring star guard De’Aaron Fox — will keep Castle under the microscope as they push for a playoff spot this season. Maintaining this strong level of play will be critical for Castle and San Antonio’s short- and long-term futures.

Zaccharie Risacher

The No. 1 pick began to play some of his best basketball of the season before the All-Star Break. He’s settling into his offensive role at the NBA level, looking more comfortable making jumpers and attacking off of the catch. In his previous eight games, Risacher converted 48.5 percent of his triples, way up from 31.7 percent on the season.

Risacher’s raw efficiency numbers (52.6 percent true shooting) aren’t stellar, but considering his age and usage paint a rosier picture. He ranks fourth among rookies in usage rate (20.2 percent), as the Atlanta Hawks ask him to score off of the ball quite consistently. Among the top 10 rookies in usage rate, Risacher ranks fifth in that group in efficiency.

Rookies, especially young ones, often struggle to adapt to the NBA as scorers. The jump in athleticism, physical strength and mental speed make that a challenging ask, particularly for prospects like Risacher who weren’t volume scorers before the NBA. Still, players like him who display adept feel for the game on both ends of the floor typically become good pros. He’s on a positive track.

Jonathan Mogbo

After bouncing between the NBA and the G League for much of the season, Mogbo found a consistent role for the Toronto Raptors before the break. Across his previous six games since returning from Raptors 905 in the G League, Mogbo averaged 7.7 points, 4.8 rebounds and three assists while logging more than 25 minutes a contest.

Critically, he made 38.5 percent of his 2.2 threes per game during that stretch, up from 34.2 percent on the season. His shooting has been promising throughout the year and will be important to maintain if he is to become a wing as Toronto hopes. Shooting will open up his perimeter game and accentuate all of the big man qualities he brings.

Mogbo attempted two threes in his two NCAA seasons and missed both of them. He’s already attempted 38 triples as a rookie, showcasing an encouraging willingness to expand his range. Given his level of physical tools, he’s already an impressive ball-handler and interior playmaker. Adding a reliable jumper will help him become a rock-solid rotation piece for the Raptors. 

Isaiah Collier

For much of the season, Collier’s tape featured occasional flashes surrounded by constant gaffes. He’s turning a corner late into his first year, averaging 12.5 points, 9.2 assists and 4.3 rebounds on a much improved 57.3 percent true shooting over his last 10 games. The Utah Jazz ask him to function as their primary initiator and he’s answering the call as well as most 20-year-old rookies could.

Collier is one of the NBA’s more productive passers among all players, ranking 13th in assist rate (34.3 percent), seventh in potential assists per 100 possessions (20.7) and third in 3-point assists per 100 possessions (5.8). He spends the vast majority of his time on the ball (40.6 percent), playing a challenging role while thriving as a passer and advantage creator.

He still has plenty of room to grow as a scorer; defenses don’t respect Collier’s jumper, making his life as a driver harder, and he isn’t a strong finisher yet either. Still, the bones of a future on-ball star are there. For a Utah team in desperate need of long-term cornerstones, possibly turning the 29th pick into one of those stars is as much as they can ask for down the road.