2024-25 Youth Movement NBA Sophomore Preview
Our own Nathan Grubel continues with the Youth Movement preview series by taking a look at the NBA's sophomore class.
Continuing on with the 2024-25 Youth Movement NBA season preview series, let’s talk about some sophomores!
When we discuss young players in the NBA, it’s generally expected for those who showed promise during their rookie campaigns to expand upon their games.
Whether that means starter-level talents can break out into the “star” category, or back-end rotation players finding more minutes or even breaking into the starting lineup. Not everyone’s developmental track is linear.
That much can be said for last year’s class not just in terms of who spent the majority of the season in the “big leagues” but also those who spent portions of the season in the G League.
A number of first-round picks spent time in the G last season, including lottery picks like Jarace Walker and Taylor Hendricks. A few guys, such as GG Jackson, exploded onto the scene after some meaningful experience in the G League, while others reaped the benefits of reps and are potentially primed for breakout campaigns like Kobe Bufkin and Jordan Walsh.
This is what makes tracking player development so intriguing. Everyone’s path to minutes is different. And it’s becoming increasingly clear that teams are not afraid to give guys opportunities outside of the NBA’s main rotation.
While in the past it may have been a bad sign to see a draft pick with pedigree playing down a level, having the G League operate like a true minor league system is a breath of fresh air. It gives players the chance to both try new things and refine existing skill sets.
There’s an argument to be made that getting a lion’s share of minutes in the G League isn’t always the best course of action, but there’s more to be said on that subject down the line.
For now, let’s look at players across the sophomore landscape and check in on those who are expected to make significant leaps, sizeable leaps, and even some guys just hoping to earn real minutes in a rotation.
Of course, there’s nowhere better to start than with the NBA’s phenom himself, Victor Wembanyama.
*All statistics courtesy of Basketball-Reference, Synergy Sports, and Dunks and Threes*
How High is Victor Wembanyama’s Ceiling?
Few players in the history of basketball could have lived up to the hype that Victor Wembanyama came into last season with.
Billed as a generational talent (we love that word at No Ceilings), Wemby was supposed to quite literally be the best thing since sliced bread.
Dubbed the 7’4” Demigod on social media, Wembanyama didn’t have a chance to simply breathe and figure things out slowly as he transitioned to life in the NBA. It was all gas, no brakes.
And honestly, that’s what makes the type of season he had even more impressive.
One of my favorite statistical resources to use is Dunks and Threes because of the catch-all EPM metric. EPM, short for Estimated Plus Minus, is a stat that can tell the story of just how much your impact is weighted on a nightly basis more effectively than PER or some other similar metrics.
Last year, Wembanyama’s EPM was a +4.1, which rated in the 95th percentile of the entire league. Think about that for a second: a ROOKIE rated in the Top 5% of the ENTIRE NBA in a metric that encompasses his overall statistical impact. This wasn’t just that he rated in a certain percentile in terms of a play type, or a specific shooting or defensive category. Wembanyama came in and meant serious business.
Now, it didn’t happen overnight. For the first few months, Wembanyama wasn’t even the leader in the clubhouse for Rookie of the Year. That happened to be Oklahoma City’s Chet Holmgren, which sparked a whole different series of debates due to the fact that he wasn’t part of the 2023 draft class.
But once the calendar year flipped to 2024, Wembanyama’s ascension took a massive turn for the better, in which he rapidly broke away from his peers not just in terms of defensive metrics but offensively as well.
The chart below is a great graphic to illustrate just how far ahead of his peers Wembanyama excelled in 2023-24.
See that little green dot all the way at the top of the graph? That’s Wembanyama. Only six other rookies (including Holmgren’s +3.4 EPM rating which isn’t pictured) were “positive” on the scale. To be expected honestly because rookies aren’t supposed to come in and quite literally take the league by storm.
Only 23 other players across the NBA rated higher in EPM than Wembanyama. He led the league in total blocks by a considerable margin, was 10th in total rebounds, and 28th in total points. Post All-Star break, Wembanyama put up averages of 23.5 PPG, 12.0 RPG, and 5.3 APG.
Do I need to throw out more stats to further lay out the case that we’ve never seen much of anything like him in the game of basketball at his age?
I’m not one to just give statistical reasoning to back up an argument without going into any of the film, but watch Wembanyama’s games, and the highs of what he does on the court are even more intoxicating than going down an analytical rabbit hole.
What’s the most insane about this entire conversation is that there are so many different ways Wembanyama can improve heading into this season and beyond!
Continuing to develop his lower body, footwork, and touch around the basket to command post touches, improving shot selection and consistency from beyond the arc, better timing his screens and placement in high pick-and-roll, further evolving as a live-dribble passer: all of these things are within reach for a ball-handling, face-up scorer who doubles as arguably the most impactful defensive player in the entire league.
A lot more words are coming on Wembanyama, but when answering the question of how high his ceiling is, trust me when I say the limit doesn’t exist.
Brandon Miller and the Rising Charlotte Hornets
Every year I buy into a young team hard to make a real push and climb the ranks in its respective conference.
Last season, the group I was most in on was the Indiana Pacers to do just that (also a year early on the Houston Rockets, but who’s counting).
What Indiana had in terms of taking the next step was an offensive leader, capable floor spacers, an identity formed by the head coach, and plenty of flexibility and young talent to make the moves necessary to compete.
One can make the argument that apart from the Rockets out west, the next Eastern Conference team to surprise out of the gate is the Charlotte Hornets.
That’s right—after years of disagreeing with the direction the franchise has gone, I’m coming back around and buying my fair share of Hornets stock moving forward.
The biggest reason why other than injury luck possibly working in the favor of LaMelo Ball and Mark Williams?
Brandon Miller.
No, I wasn’t one of the few who had Miller second overall on their 2023 draft big board. Credit a number of scouts who bought into Miller’s short-term impact as well as the long runway for his development as a playmaking wing shooter.
And even though I had him ranked third, I’m also one to appreciate someone else’s success, which is exactly what Miller had during his rookie campaign.
Averaging 17.3 PPG, 4.3 RPG, and 2.4 APG, Miller broke out in a big way as a scoring threat who took on plenty of primary responsibilities while Ball was sidelined for significant stretches.
It’s one thing to put up efficient marks on lower volume as a rookie without commanding the attention of top defenses or game planners. Miller, however, bore the brunt of the team’s offensive load and delivered an excellent shooting season while having plenty of flashes as a decision-maker and defender to boot.
What most would say stood out about Miller’s game was the shooting, and for good reason.
Miller made the fourth most threes by a rookie in their debut season in NBA history. He wasn’t quite as strong a shooter as the top player in that category, Keegan Murray, but Miller may very well have had more nights where he was the focal point of the defense’s attention.
Still, it didn’t matter whether Miller was creating off the bounce or coming off secondary actions in the halfcourt to hunt for his shots. Even in transition, Miller shot well for a rookie from distance in all regards. Contested catch-and-shoot looks, corner threes, transition threes: Miller was a 34% shooter or better across those shot types and more.
Miller was third amongst rookies in usage rate and still managed to positively impact the game as a scorer with a low turnover rate (10.2%).
Now, there’s still plenty of room for him to improve. Miller’s defense is going to have to take more steps forward given that he’s likely the team’s best option on the wing moving forward. He can afford to attempt even more threes in an offense that’s built around fast-paced options like Ball and Miles Bridges. Even his rim-finishing and floater games can stand to see efficiency increases as he continues to learn how to better navigate defenses in the halfcourt.
But where Miller is now gives me plenty of optimism about the future of the Hornets. The ceiling of a top-tier offensive wing is very much in play, and he has the talent to hold someone across from him like Ball accountable as a leader. Couple those two with plenty of talent across the roster, along with a defensive-minded coach to instill culture in Charles Lee, and the recipe is there for a Play-In push that ends in a spot in the playoffs.
“All-Rookie” Check In: Sophomore Edition
Chet Holmgren, Oklahoma City Thunder
Before Victor Wembanyama’s obscene breakout in the month of January, Chet Holmgren was the best rookie story across the league.
And even though the Rookie of the Year Award was Wemby’s to win, Holmgren still had the type of stellar season that helped the Oklahoma City Thunder finish well above expectations in the Western Conference.
For a top seed, Holmgren brought stability not just on the defensive side of the ball, but offensively as well.
Holmgren wasn’t terribly far away from a 50/40/80 slash line, which isn’t something you see every day from a 7-footer. His ability to operate as a trailing big, pick-and-pop threat, and lob catcher on slips and hard rolls opened up the Thunder’s offense to play the way it was meant to.
Oklahoma City is designed to play with freedom offensively in the halfcourt. Putting five guys on the floor who can all dribble, pass, and shoot is honestly any organization’s dream, and the Thunder pulled it off thanks to possessing a unique weapon like Holmgren.
Don’t get me wrong, Holmgren’s ball handling still can get much cleaner when attacking set defenses. But even as a grab-and-go big who can see the floor, make the next play, or step into open space and nail a three above the break, Holmgren offers so much freedom and space given his budding skill set.
As exciting as all of his offensive promise sounds, it’s on defense where Holmgren announced himself as a shot-blocking monster.
Holmgren tailed Wembanyama in total blocks, finishing second in the category even above players like Brook Lopez, Anthony Davis, and Rudy Gobert.
Going back to college and even high school, Chet’s prowess as a rim deterrent has been well-documented. When players try to challenge him around the basket, he’s as disciplined as they come in terms of not leaving his feet early and properly anticipating the timing and angle of his opponent’s shot attempt. While not as imposing as the Slender Man in San Antonio, Holmgren’s presence was still felt rating in the 93rd percentile in Defensive EPM across the league.
What we witnessed last season in terms of the race for Rookie of the Year was as rare as it comes. Holmgren’s development as a playmaker, one-on-one scorer, and mobile defender could leave him primed to help the Thunder reach the NBA Finals as early as this season. And truthfully, I can’t wait to see what else he adds to his bag moving forward.
Jaime Jaquez Jr., Miami Heat
Everything last season about Jaime Jaquez Jr.’s game freaking rocked.
As smooth an operator off the bounce from a scoring perspective as one could’ve expected from a rookie wing, Jaquez stepped up consistently for a Miami squad looking for any semblance of stability while weathering the injury storm.
Even though Jaquez tailed off a bit from the start of the year through to the end, his overall season was still very much a positive for a competitive, experienced perimeter player.
Always more of a scorer than shooter, Jaquez was able to use a lot of his go-to footwork to find lanes to the basket and finish plays inside. His 55.8% mark on two-point shots was impressive for a rookie, as he’s not exactly the most explosive scorer in the NBA.
But his balance, strength, and craft to find ways around defenders left opponents in the dust and wowed fans across the league.
I’ll be curious to see how he fares defensively with another year under his belt, as he’s scrappy but wasn’t the most effective on or off-ball defender, but the shooting needs to be better across an entire year for him to take another step forward.
Jaquez shot 32% from three during his first season, which isn’t poor by any means for a rookie (generally, rookies average between 30-31% from deep), but his hot start had him around 38-40% in the early months! That type of falloff can happen to any young player, but the NBA is about consistency more than anything. Being a professional means having the skill set and confidence to provide what the coach expects on a nightly basis.
There was a lot to like about Jaquez for sure; let’s see the shooting become one of the highlights we’re talking about for him in February and March as much as October and November.
Brandin Podziemski, Golden State Warriors
If there’s one thing that you can’t teach a young player, it’s flat-out effort on the court.
Brandin Podziemski played with a passion each night for the Golden State Warriors. His willingness to fight on the glass—not just for himself, but for his teammates—really shined a bright light on his case for one of the best up-and-coming players across the league.
In a season where the Warriors were searching for answers both in the present and future, Podziemski’s play silenced some draft critics while announcing himself as someone who was here to stay.
After all, who doesn’t want a guard who can rebound on both ends, make reads off the bounce, and spot up from three? Podziemski isn’t an elite athlete by any stretch, but he’s a good example of how far positional strength can carry someone looking to carve out a role.
Not only was he physically in position to impact the game, but Podziemski posted a better than 3:1 AST/TO ratio as a secondary creator next to Stephen Curry.
Able to run pick-and-roll offense, operate off screens, and work with a big in handoff actions, Podziemski’s offense gave the Warriors more options than just putting another spot-up threat out there with little to bring to the table in terms of ball skills.
Podziemski’s competitive fire will burn bright during his sophomore season too, ready to step forward into a bright future with Golden State.
Keyonte George, Utah Jazz
Bursting out of the gate before his rookie season even started, Keyonte George put the league on notice during 2023 Summer League and didn’t look back.
Taking on not just more responsibility, but a new position compared to what he played at Baylor, George excelled given the circumstances in my book.
Rookie point guards have one of the more difficult times adjusting as it is, let alone someone whose game was suited to play away from the ball more often than not at lower levels of competition.
George’s creativity, mid-range touch, three-point capabilities, and placement on passes really pulled the Utah Jazz offense together at different points of the season. George even surprised some people with how competitive he was defending other guards at the point of attack.
Now looking in the best shape of his young career, George will look to keep improving as a distributor and all-around efficient offensive player. What I want to see most from George is being able to create better looks both at the basket and when going for runners in the painted area. Shooting only 46% on two-point looks won’t get it done long-term for any guard looking to hold onto the reigns of an offense.
I’d bet on George to make some improvements and adjust his offensive approach sooner rather than later. He’s already exceeded initial expectations so far, why cap out his overall ceiling so early?
GG Jackson II, Memphis Grizzlies
Speaking of exceeding expectations, I’m not sure anyone had the 45th overall pick making an All-Rookie Team on the 2023-24 NBA bingo card.
But that’s why you can’t quite rule out rookies from becoming something more than initially expected, especially when said rookie happens to be the youngest player in the entire league.
GG Jackson II reclassified to play at South Carolina a year earlier than anticipated. So, while his peers were hopping on the bus and attending prom, Jackson was refining his craft in college and putting up some eye-opening offensive performances for the Gamecocks.
While there were plenty of consistency issues with his overall game in college, there was a strong contingent of scouts who refused to drop him down their boards despite some rumblings said about Jackson behind the scenes.
Those who held onto their stock and held true to where the NBA is heading and what it takes to get there were treated to a delightful late-season surge by Jackson as a shooter and transition threat.
Jackson put up 35 games scoring double figures during his rookie year, in which a streak of 18 such games in March was the exclamation point on a promising season.
While there’s enough for Jackson to keep working on including his efforts rebounding, serving as a secondary rim protector, and acting as a more engaged passer, few guys at his size can lay claim to the title of “big wing” in terms of handling the ball and being able to create looks from deep out of nothing.
Currently rehabbing from injury, Jackson will miss the season’s start but should be back to help the Memphis Grizzlies bounce back from the season from hell last year. Overall, I’d expect Jackson to make a strong push to start at small forward long-term in Memphis.
Dereck Lively II, Dallas Mavericks
How many rookies can confidently say they helped a team make a deep run in the playoffs all the way to the NBA Finals?
Not as many as you think, and Dereck Lively II is one of them.
After an up-and-down year at Duke that ended on a high note, Lively was another rookie big man who was impressive from start to finish.
An athletic 7-footer who can run the floor like a wing, Lively was as easy of a plug-and-play transition and lob threat as they come for Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving.
Having a vertical spacer like Lively opens up the offense because it draws defenders in and forces the collapse rather than putting defenses in position to close out easier on corner looks. Making defenders think twice about how to guard a big who can slip screens as well as Lively was a dream for a usage-heavy guard like Doncic.
As impressive as a finisher Lively was during his first year, there were two other things that stood out as they did in college.
The first and most obvious was his ability to protect the rim. Even though his raw output wasn’t as ferocious as that of Victor Wembanyama and Chet Holmgren in the blocks department, Lively still had one hell of a year contesting shots at the basket. The verticality he offers off two feet is downright jaw-dropping to witness—especially when he’s recovering on the move and still skying to swat the ball into the stands.
There’s real potential for Lively to become a true switchable center as opposed to playing more in drop coverage or as a show and recover big. His lateral mobility and short-area quickness are rare for a big man his size, meaning Dallas has a real gem on its hands defensively.
Other than his defense and finishing, the passing helped the Mavericks’ offense hum more than the common observer would think. What Lively did as a kick-out passer off offensive rebounds was awesome to watch, as it broke defenses looking to send multiple guys back off misses to leak out in transition. Having someone who is as instinctual off rebounds looking for others as he is in short rolls creates so many opportunities for his teammates.
Where Lively has already started to show growth during the preseason is his ball handling. Showing the ability to push the ball full court and finish at the rim opens up some new possibilities for his game to blossom, especially given how he already sees the floor as a playmaker.
I can’t wait to watch Lively develop as a player given all of the tools and traits mentioned. I didn’t even talk about how he showed a little shooting touch in the playoffs, knocking down a corner three in the Finals!
Amen Thompson, Houston Rockets
Remember when I said up top that there were only a handful of rookies last season that were anywhere close to Victor Wembanyama in terms of EPM?
Well, Amen Thompson was one of them and made his presence felt in a short amount of time.
Thompson wasn’t a candidate for an All-Rookie team early in the year. As a matter of fact, his twin brother Ausar was the one who was getting the praise for his two-way play with the Detroit Pistons.
The Houston Rockets are a deep team with loads of talent at every position. Having signed veterans like Fred VanVleet and Dillon Brooks only shortened the amount of minutes available for guys like Thompson and Cam Whitmore on a squad looking to make a push to get back into the playoffs.
But in the time Thompson did get on the floor, his defense was as good as nearly any other perimeter player across the NBA regardless of age.
Defensively, Thompson rated in the 95th percentile in EPM last year. Again, we’re talking about metrics that are not casually hit by first or even second-year players in the league.
Thompson, though, isn’t your average defensive talent. A 6’7” demon on that side of the floor who is in the Top 1% of the NBA athletically, there was little other teams could do to prevent him from making plays and helping his teammates get out in transition.
From guarding up top to playing rover roles and even acting as a secondary rim protector, Thompson’s anticipation and vision defensively opened up plenty of opportunities to jump passing lanes and sky for blocks on any matchup.
Even though his offensive game was fairly limited last season without a reliable jump shot, Thompson still finished well around the basket, and had moments operating a nice two-man game with Alperen Sengun either working in high ball screen actions, or even cutting to the basket back door when defenders were least expecting it.
Yes, the shooting is an absolute must for Thompson to develop if he is to live up to his incredibly high ceiling as an offensive initiator and engine. But even if this is the player he is for the rest of his career, Thompson’s spatial awareness, processing speed, and athletic prowess give him a chance to wreck games at the drop of a hat. Expect him to get major minutes during his sophomore campaign.
Cason Wallace, Oklahoma City Thunder
Last but not least in regards to All-Rookie performers, Cason Wallace was the goods for the Oklahoma City Thunder backcourt in his debut season.
A highly efficient shooter at the guard spot, Wallace had one of the hottest starts to a season from deep for a rookie that I can remember. Through the first two months, Wallace was 19-of-33 from three-point range, a stark 57.5%!!
How many rookies can immediately step behind a deeper line and shoot the cover off the rock like Wallace?
While he didn’t take nearly as many of those looks at volume, like Brandon Miller, Wallace’s overall season as a shooter should still be held in high regard. There were a few months he came back down to Earth, but he still converted on 41.9% of his threes.
Truthfully, even inside the arc, there weren’t many spots where Wallace couldn’t hit a shot. Wallace was fourth among rookies in effective field goal percentage while also boasting a turnover rate of less than 10%.
A highly impactful point-of-attack defender, positional rebounder, and overall competitor, Wallace had a very well-rounded rookie season to build on moving forward. In terms of what I want to see from him as a sophomore, I’m intrigued by how he handles higher volume and more responsibility after teams have had a year to scout and dissect his strengths/weaknesses. Wallace is as interesting of a player to monitor in a second season as any in my book.
Breakout Sophomore Candidates
Scoot Henderson, Portland Trail Blazers
Scoot Henderson didn’t live up to the expectations of many during his rookie year.
While not exactly having a ton of high-level talent or experience around him, it made his reality of being an NBA point guard that much more difficult, especially early on.
Different guys in and out of the lineup, plenty of players slotting in fresh off G League appearances, and little time with any particular group to develop real chemistry and cohesion. All while Henderson was looking to polish areas of weaknesses present in his own game including long-distance shooting and controlling turnovers.
Even more so than his inability to knock down threes on a consistent basis, Henderson’s somewhat frustrating turnovers took a toll on his biggest supporters pre-draft, myself included.
Cutting back on those halfcourt offensive lapses, while continuing to get reps as a shot creator and on-ball defender should help Henderson re-establish his case as one of the best guard prospects the league has seen in some time.
But it’s not a guarantee that Henderson supplants others who excelled last year at the same position and stays ahead of those coming into the league as rookies this year. Scoot has his work cut out for him, especially given the fact he likely won’t start at the position again heading into the year.
Where I’m optimistic is that coming off the bench should only further motivate Henderson to do the little things and take advantage of every opportunity in front of him to grow as a basketball player. The story is far from written on him, and I’m expecting Henderson to have some standout performances during the 2024-25 season.
Bilal Coulibaly, Washington Wizards
Despite not having an overwhelmingly positive offensive season by the box score metrics, Bilal Coulibaly maintained a consistent spot in the rotation all year long.
Rightfully so, because his defensive capabilities as a long, athletic wing were on display for everyone to see including some long-time NBA vets.
How Coulibaly has developed as a defensive menace is impressive, as it’s not just about making plays on the ball and gambling for opportunities.
Coulibaly contains opposing ball-handlers, and walls them off appropriately. Excellent at flipping his hips, dancing with his opponent, and navigating through screens and tight windows, Coulibaly has plenty of room to develop into one of the league’s best individual defenders on the perimeter.
On a limited shot diet, Coulibaly was still efficient, converting on 43.5% of his field goals overall and 34.6% of his threes. With more opportunity on the ball expected as a sophomore, it will be interesting to watch Bilal develop as a playmaker and mid-range scorer given how he can create windows with his electric first step and long strides to the rim. Developing some pull-up moves is something Coulibaly is already working on, with results expected to follow.
Two-way wings are the hottest commodity across the league, mainly because they rarely become available in trades. Drafting those players is essential to developing a winning franchise, and Coulibaly’s ceiling is as high as any that have come into the NBA in recent memory.
Ausar Thompson, Detroit Pistons
Speaking of two-way wings, Ausar Thompson has some say in the argument of best rookie wing defender last season.
What Thompson did early on in Detroit was quite awesome to watch. Simply put, Thompson was everywhere on the floor, rotating, switching, contesting,and making opposing offensive players’ lives hell for months.
Similarly to his brother, Thompson slid up the lineup for the Pistons and operated at times as a small-ball big offensively while doing a bit of everything defensively. His timing and instincts as a two-way player put him in early conversations for Rookie of the Year, given how quickly he was racking up rebounds, steals, and blocks.
Someone who can fill up a box score, Thompson has the pathway to continue to grow heading into this season. What I’ll be fascinated to watch in Detroit is just how lineups are constructed by new head coach JB Bickerstaff. How are guys like Thompson, Jalen Duren, and Ron Holland staggered to allow for better floor spacing around Cade Cunningham and Jaden Ivey? Is Thompson ready to take a leap as a shooter that we aren’t aware of yet? Could he scale down in certain aspects and operate as a backup lead guard depending on certain lineup constructions?
Many questions are present with the roster for the Pistons, but Thompson has the talent to fit in nearly anywhere. What his future is in Detroit will be determined by how the team sees his talents best utilized around its primary and secondary scoring options on the perimeter.
Anthony Black, Orlando Magic
Anthony Black’s rookie impact wasn’t measured well by his box score output. Flip on the tape, however, and his steadying presence could be felt just like it was as a freshman at Arkansas.
Sure, there were times when Black had to take over as a scorer in college in games without Nick Smith. But there were also enough times when he had to play backseat to a hot threat like Ricky Council IV. And when Black is allowed to let the game come to him and set his teammates up accordingly, that’s where he shines the most.
That’s why a lot of scouts had high grades on Black coming out of college. Low-maintenance players with plus positional size, enough shooting chops, and defensive upside are good bets to at the very least play positive minutes within the rotation. Due to injuries, Black got plenty of starts under his belt alongside Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner, and made an impact by helping to make their lives easier as scorers.
With Kentavious Caldwell-Pope expected to take the other guard spot in the starting lineup next to Jalen Suggs, Black has the chance to come off the bench and empower the second unit to succeed, while getting opportunities here and there with the centerpieces.
Having someone who can play in a number of different lineups is paramount for a team looking to contend, and Black fits that mold to a tee. Improving as a spot-up shooter and off-ball defender will only further enhance his ability to scale and add value. If Black’s three-point shooting of 39% is real, with greater volume, that only makes his case even greater to keep earning more minutes and maybe even close games in certain spots.
Taylor Hendricks, Utah Jazz
Despite spending most of last season in the G League, Taylor Hendricks got some opportunities in March with the Utah Jazz and should be able to carve out a role heading into this year.
With the Salt Lake City Stars, Hendricks average 14.7 PPG shooting 35.6% from there on over 6.1 attempts per game!
Coming out of college, Hendricks was billed as a reliable stretch forward who had plenty of room to further expand his offensive game. Rookies aren’t always ready to come in and light it up from deep with efficiency, but Hendricks proved he belongs and carried that success to the NBA with 37.9% shooting from deep in the opportunities he got.
With the ability to stretch opposing frontcourts, guard bigger wings and forwards, and even bring some backline shot blocking from the weak side, Hendricks’s utility and value in multiple types of lineups should prove valuable for the Jazz well past this upcoming year.
Where he can take a massive step forward is with improvements to his ball handling. Continuing to attack closeouts and put pressure on defenses that come out and respect his shooting ability only further enhances his on-ball game. Building that out, becoming a reliable pull-up shooter could help him hold his own in bigger lineups to create issues defensively for any opponents looking to go smaller.
There’s value in Hendricks as a role player, but there’s much more on the table for him heading into his second year with the emphasis on development.
Ricky Council IV, Philadelphia 76ers
The Philadelphia 76ers haven’t had a lot of electrifying wing athletes in recent memory on the team. At least, none quite like Ricky Council IV.
This man wants to put everyone on a poster, and he’s not shy about it. The way he relentlessly attacks the basket is something to behold, especially from such a young player.
Having someone who can generate rim pressure, free throw attempts, and efficient offense at the basket helps open up opportunities for others. Couple that with his ability to defend, and there’s a real case for Council to get minutes in a veteran-stacked rotation looking to make a Finals run.
Even with the optimism around his dribble-drive game, a lot of attention will continue to be paid to his outside shooting. If early returns from his Summer League run are to be taken seriously, then Council could be in for one heck of a sophomore breakout for a team that could use another injection of youth behind Tyrese Maxey.
Trayce Jackson-Davis, Golden State Warriors
Trayce Jackson-Davis’s per-minute production was pretty damn impressive for a rookie selected at the back end of the 2023 draft.
Per 36 minutes, Jackson-Davis averaged 17.9 PPG, 10.9 RPG, 2.6 APG, and 2.4 BPG. Essentially, in the time he got on the floor, he had a case as a Top 15 center in the league.
While I wouldn’t quite lay that crown at his feet yet, that’s the type of production the Golden State Warriors should expect from him in the future.
Heading into his sophomore season, Jackson-Davis can continue to bring strong screen setting, post-up offense, and rim protection. His expanded game as a short-roll playmaker feeds into the motion 5-out style of offense the Warriors play, and I’m very intrigued to see the chemistry continue to be built between Jackson-Davis, a shooter like Stephen Curry, and a cutting dynamo like Jonathan Kuminga.
For a team in need of frontcourt depth, defense around the basket, and efficient halfcourt production, Jackson-Davis was just what the doctor ordered last year and should continue to pop as a budding big man in his second season.
Ben Sheppard, Indiana Pacers
An under-the-radar draft selection for the Indiana Pacers in 2023, Ben Sheppard had a rookie breakout that certainly exceeded initial expectations.
Billed as a dynamic shooter both off the catch and on the move, Sheppard showed a little ball-handling ability and secondary playmaking that resembled what he did in front of scouts and executives at the draft combine.
That, on top of some solid defense at times on the perimeter, give him a chance to keep standing out off the bench in Indiana. This team doesn’t quite have another player quite like him, and even though Aaron Nesmith is a more optimized version of Sheppard due to how good of a defender he’s become, further improvements to Sheppard’s handle and passing vision could allow him to become that type of reliable option nightly off the bench.
Improved driving ability, finishing inside the arc, and MORE THREES are the things I want to see in Sheppard’s second season!
Jarace Walker, Indiana Pacers
Another player similar to Taylor Hendricks who had to spend most of his playing time in the G League last year, Jarace Walker got every opportunity (and then some)to prove in Summer League he’s ready to handle more.
While the efficiency in Las Vegas was certainly something to monitor for better or worse, there’s plenty of optimism to be found in Walker’s willingness to shoot, create off the bounce, and take on multiple defensive matchups.
I still am curious as to whether Walker’s future is best suited as a bigger wing or a potential small-ball big, but there’s value to be found in having a player like him off the bench to bolster Indiana’s frontcourt.
One of the bigger areas of improvement I see for Walker outside of improved shooting and continuing to add to his post-up arsenal would be cutting down on turnovers, particularly careless ones that he sometimes showed in the G League.
Being an efficient play finisher with defensive versatility and timely playmaking would go a long way in adding size, strength, and athletic pop to the Pacers’ rotation.
Cam Whitmore, Houston Rockets
Ah, the young scoring dynamo himself. No one wants to shoot the ball more times in a game than Cam Whitmore.
And boy has he done it, be it at Summer League or in the G League.
A volume scorer’s volume scorer, I don’t blame Whitmore for taking as many shots as he does because he’s really freaking good at putting the ball in the hoop!
Last season in the G, Whitmore scored 26.2 PPG in 35 MPG. He shot 38.9% from deep on 10 threes a game! There’s a lot to be desired from Whitmore in terms of making secondary reads on the move and limiting live-ball turnovers, but when it comes to developing scoring threats, there are not many I would take in the NBA over Whitmore.
Perhaps the one thing I want to see more of from him in the league is his on-ball defense. Whitmore had some real standout moments as a defender in college at Villanova, and Whitmore is the exact type of wing defender Ime Udoka has in spades already on this Houston Rockets roster. Having too many wings who are athletic and capable of playing good defense is FAR from a bad thing, and Whitmore has some things to prove heading into his sophomore season.
Under The Radar Sophomores
Noah Clowney, Brooklyn Nets
I know Noah Clowney didn’t get too much run in Brooklyn last season for the Nets, but when he did play, he popped off the screen as the type of modern forward every NBA team is looking for.
As one of the younger players in the 2023 draft class, Clowney was always going to have to be brought along slowly. But as he physically matures, Clowney has some enticing tools in the toolbox to rely on.
His length helps him to contest shots and play tight windows on defense, his shooting touch was already evident given his 36% shooting from three last season. Clowney hits the glass, plays hard, and is the type of vertical athlete to go finish lobs off rolls to the basket.
I just want to see Clowney minutes this season so he can keep adding to his offensive game. When all is said and done, there’s still a chance he becomes one of the highest-upside players from his class.
Toumani Camara, Portland Trail Blazers
Those who watched Toumani Camara before the 2023 draft (looking at you, Maxwell) knew there was an NBA player hiding in plain sight at Dayton.
A skilled forward, Camara had the ability in college to face up and attack the basket, make an impact defensively, and even offer some spot-up shooting.
Where Camara got himself in trouble prior to his first year with the Portland Trail Blazers was when he had a little too much on his plate. Camara would turn the ball over, force inefficient shots, and make mistakes that he shouldn’t have had to make in the first place.
In a scaled back role in the NBA where Camara could focus on the task in front of him defensively, Camara stood out as one of the best rookie defenders in the class. Matter of fact, Camara was another standout defensive rookie in terms of EPM rating in the 96th percentile of the NBA!
Shooting efficiency is definitely needed from him in his sophomore season, but Camara had a campaign to build off of thanks to his multi-pronged defensive game. Becoming an even better two-way forward is more of what Portland is looking for in its rotation.
Marcus Sasser, Detroit Pistons
I still remain bullish on Marcus Sasser’s NBA prospects.
The Detroit Pistons need shooting any way the team can get it, and Sasser hit on nearly 38% of his threes on 8.5 attempts per 100 possessions during his rookie season.
The dude can flat-out shoot the rock, be it off the catch or creating his own looks in isolation. One of the best handles in his draft class, Sasser is a smooth shot creator when given the opportunity.
Maybe not a natural NBA point guard, Sasser can slot in alongside bigger initiators like Cade Cunningham, and I’m hoping to see those two play more minutes together this year. Sasser is the type of release valve Cunningham can look to as a bailout guy. If Cunningham is covered, Sasser can step into an outside shot, or catch and penetrate to create looks for others.
While he was an awesome defensive guard in college, Sasser does still have some limitations on that side of the ball given his overall size and stature. But his usage as a shooter cannot be understated for a team that was among the worst teams from deep across the league.
PLAY MARCUS SASSER MORE MINUTES!
Jullian Strawther, Denver Nuggets
I’m not one to say the Denver Nuggets are in trouble because Nikola Freaking Jokic is still captaining the ship.
BUT… there have been enough rumblings from analysts far smarter than I am that the good times in Denver may not roll in quite the same way.
After losing players like Bruce Brown and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope in consecutive offseasons, the Nuggets need some of their recent young draft picks to step up and produce.
None are better suited to do so than Julian Strawther, who had an electrifying Summer League run to generate momentum coming into his sophomore season.
As efficient of an off-ball scorer and shooter as they came in college, Strawther’s last year at Gonzaga was something to behold in terms of Synergy offensive percentiles.
Now Strawther gets more opportunities to play with the best passer in the NBA. You’re telling me an excellent cutter and movement shooter won’t get clean looks in Denver’s offense?
The wheel doesn’t have to be reinvented for Strawther to come away with one of the higher marks as a sophomore standout. He simply needs to excel at doing what he’s historically done well when given the chance this year.
Christian Braun is the favorite to step in and be the new fifth starter for the Nuggets, but I would NOT be shocked if that mantle got passed to Strawther at some point if the shooting becomes as hot as a supernova.
Jett Howard, Orlando Magic
Jett Howard has flamethrower potential.
A 6’7” shooter who can flat-out put the ball in the basket has room to stick in an NBA rotation, even a playoff-caliber one like the Orlando Magic’s.
Howard did his part in breaking out during Summer League, especially in the team’s first game dropping a blistering 22 points in short order. Before that, Howard shot very well at high volume in the G League, and even during this very preseason, he’s stepped into the starting lineup filling in for Kenvatious Caldwell-Pope, and has once again made his mark in an efficient manner.
Sure, there are questions about where he fits defensively and what position he will guard in the NBA. But with plenty of on-ball creativity still to be explored in the studio space, along with his shooting ability, Howard will be heard from this season in the league.
Jordan Hawkins, New Orleans Pelicans
Last but certainly not least in the “under the radar” department, Jordan Hawkins is in position to shake that label right off sooner rather than later.
With Trey Murphy III sidelined to start the season, the New Orleans Pelicans will need shooting off the bench to maximize smaller, quicker lineups headlined by Zion Williamson playing the five spot.
That’s where Hawkins comes in as an electric off-ball shooter who was one of the better movement shooters I’ve evaluated in college basketball.
While he needs to become better with the ball in his hands both as a finisher and decision-maker, Hawkins can really fill it up from deep at volume. The number of threes he took and made in college was absurd, and Hawkins attempted 12.6 threes per 100 possessions last year in the league and still hit on 36.6% of them.
Whether he plays 12 minutes or 20 minutes, Hawkins is on the floor for one purpose and damnit that one purpose is incredibly meaningful to team in need of spacing.
Let it fly, Hawk; we’ll all be watching this season!