Youth Movement NBA Sophomore Rank 2.0
Our own Nathan Grubel takes a look at which NBA sophomores are shining across the league, plus some honorable mentions and notable names trending upward to monitor!
It’s time to take another look at the NBA’s sophomore class!
This season has certainly seen some intriguing developments from young players, and while a few sophomores didn’t start their seasons off on the right feet, there’s been some growth that’s made for fun storylines to monitor as the season progresses. And while injuries have certainly robbed fans of seeing some spectacular talent continue to take shape down the stretch, we remain positive here at No Ceilings.
Let’s take a look at how the best second-year players rank as we end February, starting with a note on a player who was on too good of a run to end up off this list despite a recent medical setback.
*All statistics are as of 2/26/2025 and are courtesy of Basketball-Reference, Synergy Sports, Dunks and Threes, and Cleaning The Glass*
Youth Movement NBA Sophomore Rank 2.0
1. Victor Wembanyama, San Antonio Spurs*
Victor Wembanyama’s sophomore season has come to a close due to the unfortunate discovery of a blood clot in his right shoulder. First and foremost, prayers up for Victor, his family, and the San Antonio Spurs organization as he looks to make a full recovery in time for the 2025-26 season. Even though he’s not going to play another game until (hopefully) October 2025, Wembanyama has done more than enough to cement himself as the best player from the 2023 draft class.
Up to this point, Wembanyama has led the sophomore class in points per 100 possessions as well as rebounding and block rates. His assist rate is incredibly high for a 7-footer, and he’s improved as a ball-handler and creator on the perimeter apart from his expected duties as a face-up big man and lob threat.
Evaluators have been critical of Wembanyama’s shot diet, and yet he’s still incredibly close to a 60% true shooting mark despite taking 47% of his shots from behind the three-point line. That’s an impressive mark for any player, let alone a center.
Even though fans didn’t get to see it for long, Wembanyama had begun to develop chemistry with newly acquired Spur De’Aaron Fox, and has improved his timing and cadence with other ball handlers on the roster like Stephon Castle and Chris Paul. Wembanyama is comfortable operating in a two-man game, both rolling or popping and even faking a handoff to take a mismatch off the bounce.
A capable pull-up shooter, there are few ways to guard Wembanyama outside of getting as physical as possible with him in hopes to force a miss or make him earn his points from the free throw line (where he’s a near 84% shooter).
Wembanyama arguably had the Defensive Player of the Year Award locked up according to oddsmakers, as he is (and will be moving forward) the most impactful player on that end of the floor across the entire league. The ground he can cover, his instincts protecting the rim, and the ability to grab rebounds that others can’t put him in elite company with the best big men in the history of the game.
Wembanyama is a generational talent for a reason, and given the fact he still managed to play 1,527 minutes this year, I find it difficult for me to have another player at the top of my sophomore rankings this season.
2. Amen Thompson, Houston Rockets
I’ve been personally blown away with what Amen Thompson has been able to achieve on both ends of the floor for the Houston Rockets.
Initially, Thompson came off the bench this season in Houston as one of the better sixth men across the NBA. Injuries to multiple players—most notably an extended absence from Jabari Smith Jr.—gave Thompson the opportunity to start and play extended minutes for Houston.
Not only have the Rockets exceeded expectations as the fifth seed in the Western Conference, but the team has certainly seen success with Thompson as a consistent driver. Even though Thompson hasn’t blown away the competition by Cleaning The Glass’ on/off metrics, when watching the tape it’s impossible to ignore how incredible Thompson’s athletic gifts translate to easy production on both sides of the ball.
On defense, Thompson can switch across any perimeter position to maintain consistent on-ball coverage while also having the awareness and processing speed to anticipate ball and player movement to shut off cutting lanes and easy lob opportunities. Thompson has a knack for creating deflections that lead to transition opportunities, where his game thrives alongside other speedy finishers in Jalen Green and Tari Eason.
There’s no question Thompson stands to improve his jump shooting and ball handling in order to command higher offensive usage in pick-and-roll situations, but what he’s been able to do playing off Alperen Sengun and Fred VanVleet as a cutter, roller, and outlet finisher has provided the Rockets with an efficient source of offense inside the arc to complement other outside shooters—containing Thompson as a driver and off-ball mover is easier said than done given how lightning quick his first step is.
An underappreciated part of Thompson’s game has been his rebounding, as he’s had 16 games of nine or more rebounds in the calendar year 2025. His energy is infectious, and what he does on the glass creates and extends possessions in ways that really help clean up some misses for what’s been a middle-of-the-pack (at best) offense in terms of scoring volume.
3. Ausar Thompson, Detroit Pistons
If it weren’t for Amen Thompson going absolutely bonkers from the later part of December through January and February, it would be Ausar who would get much more attention as a rising sophomore.
To me, it’s no coincidence that both players are part of massive turnarounds on playoff contenders in their respective conferences. Ausar isn’t the driver of success and number one option for the Detroit Pistons (neither is Amen in Houston), but he impacts the game in so many different ways without commanding high on-ball usage.
Let’s be clear: Thompson’s upside is similarly tied to his brother Amen’s, in the sense that he needs to improve his ball handling and shooting to warrant more opportunities as a playmaker. Both possess outlier vision and passing instincts for wings, but neither has fully capitalized on that natural talent due to defenses being able to take advantage of their largely one-dimensional scoring as drivers. It comes out more in Ausar’s game, as he’s been less willing to shoot as a whole let alone on pull-up opportunities.
That being said, Ausar’s lack of shooting aggression is really one of the only faults I can point to in his game that require a true overhaul at this point in his young career. Thompson’s feel for the game, willingness to make plays on defense, and awareness to cut and move without the basketball all help the Pistons function at a high level when he’s on the floor. Thompson consistently cleans up missed shots, provides a release valve for Cade Cunningham or Jalen Duren as a baseline cutter, and creates chaos as a transition playmaker.
On the season, Thompson has 13 games with three or more combined steals and blocks, putting him in company with some of the better defensive playmakers in the league. His quick hands and line-drive speed to jump passing lanes are special for any swingman, let alone one in just his second NBA season.
As Thompson progresses as a secondary or tertiary ball handler in most Pistons lineups, his value as a two-way wing will continue to soar. There are only a few players I would comfortably rank ahead of Thompson among all players in the league under 25, let alone just in this sophomore class.
4. Toumani Camara, Portland Trail Blazers
I debated long and hard about ranking another Portland Trail Blazers player in this spot, but Toumani Camara is far too under-discussed to be ignored by me at this point.
Flip on national sports television coverage of the NBA, and you’ll hear about the same set of guys constantly. That’s for good reason, as the NBA is a star-driven league. But players like Camara are also deserving of coverage and some time in the spotlight, because he’s one of the best value contracts in basketball.
There’s generally an argument that players who haven’t extended off their initial rookie deals are almost always going to exceed the pay scale of their contract if they are legitimate rotational assets. That line of logic is fair, so I understand any pushback on my claim. But Camara wasn’t even drafted in the first round! He was taken later in the second, and was included in a trade on top of it. How many evaluators expected Camara’s game to take shape like it has so early in his career?
I’ve written about Camara’s career arc before and how it’s incredibly fascinating for a number of reasons, but he fits a mold of player I’m leaning into as we get closer to the next iteration of the NBA Draft.
Camara wasn’t just a role player in college for the University of Dayton. Camara commanded higher usage as a scorer because he was a top-tier option at the forward position. Granted, he was knocked for his lack of efficiency and, at times, questionable decision-making when double teamed or pressured on drives. But Camara gained valuable experience handling the ball and learning how to play aggressively downhill with plenty of defensive attention.
Look around the NBA, and a lot of the “role players” you’ll find on teams that are vying for a play-in spot or comfortably seeded in the playoff race were once top options on their college or international teams. The NBA is a league for the best of the best, so finding players who can scale their game back while also knowing how to handle pressure in moments when the ball is skipped to them in higher leverage moments is paramount to overall roster construction and deep postseason success.
Camara doesn’t handle the ball a ton in pick-and-roll situations, but per Synergy Sports, he’s doubled his volume in said play types and grades out favorably in pick-and-rolls, including passes. Camara has the touch to hit a rolling big on a lob or kick the ball out to an open shooter. And he’s been pretty good at relocating once he’s given up the ball to find an open spot-up opportunity.
The area I’m most concerned about with regards to Camara’s game is his finishing around the basket. He rates poorly as an at-rim scorer, and it shows at times when he misses some bunnies and easy shots inside. There’s still time for him to learn how to take better angles and use his off hand a little more, but rounding out that part of his scoring attack would really give him a nice foundation as an offensive player.
And I haven’t even mentioned the real reason why I value him so highly amongst others in the sophomore class: his UNBELIEVABLE defense.
Camara is right there with Deni Avdija for the Blazers in terms of taking the other team’s toughest perimeter assignment, be it a point guard or bigger wing. Camara is great at forcing opponents into tough shots, cutting off driving lanes, and putting players in position to make mistakes. He moves his feet well, uses his length to his advantage, and is a solid help defender around the basket due to his ability to leap off two feet and contest layups.
Wings who can defend multiple positions while also providing enough shot making and passing on offense are one of the most valuable player types in the NBA for a reason. It’s difficult to acquire those guys via trade or free agency. These are players teams would rather draft and develop in cost-controlled situations. Getting a player like Camara back in the Deandre Ayton trade was a nice feather in the cap of Joe Cronin and Portland’s front office.
5. Scoot Henderson, Portland Trail Blazers
Admittedly, things weren’t looking the greatest for Scoot Henderson to start his second year coming off a rough rookie campaign.
Sure, all point guards go through growing pains adjusting to the NBA. It’s a significant reason why I’m prone to be more patient with the development of both point guards and centers, because those positions require much more leadership, communication, and awareness due to the responsibilities associated with each. Still, the league and its fans are almost always quick to pass judgement on young players, especially those not exceeding expectations out of the gate as high lottery picks.
So, seeing Henderson come into his own for the Portland Trail Blazers—a team that’s been highly competitive in the Western Conference as of late—has put quite the smile on my face.
I wrote about Henderson’s growth as a guard already this year for No Ceilings, and everything I put into words has continued to progress as the season has gone on. Henderson has maintained his efficient shooting splits while also keeping an assist-to-turnover ratio north of 2:1 in the months of January and February. His decision making as a whole has continued to evolve as he’s gotten more experience operating both with and without the ball.
Henderson wasn’t heralded as a spectacular shooter coming into the league, especially on catch-and-shoot looks. But as I wrote before, becoming a better shooter requires in-game reps. Henderson’s been a ball-dominant guard his entire playing career, so naturally it was only fitting he struggled to adapt as a floor spacer when the ball was in the hands of Anfernee Simons or Shaedon Sharpe.
Now, Scoot has become a very capable off-ball shooter, which has added an element to his game as a guard who can make defenses pay for closing out and rotating to deter him as a driver. Henderson has the type of vision to make a live-dribble read off a displaced defense, and when defenders give him space (especially in drop coverage on pick-and-rolls) Henderson has the pull-up game to nail shots off the bounce.
There’s still room for Henderson to grow defensively, but his offensive game taking meaningful steps forward should give Blazers fans hope for the future. A pairing of Henderson with Donovan Clingan could become one of the better pick-and-roll combos across the league in time, not to mention the presence of multiple wings and forwards who can take pressure off Henderson offensively in Sharpe and Avdija.
Consider me a fan of what Portland is building—it all starts with that three-man foundation of Scoot, Clingan, and Sharpe.
6. Brandin Podziemski, Golden State Warriors
Speaking of players who got off on the wrong foot to start the year, Brandin Podziemski’s shooting numbers were pretty rough through the months of October and November. The good news is that he’s turned it around as the year has progressed, and it’s no coincidence to me that he’s seeing his best three-game stretch this season after the acquisition of Jimmy Butler.
Through three games with Butler on the roster, lineups that include both him and Podziemski have combined for 335 total possessions and are +26.6 points better per 100 possessions according to Cleaning The Glass. Yes, this is small sample size theater at its best, but the tape shows a pretty good illustration of why the success is occurring and likely to continue.
With a ball stopper in the lineup like Andrew Wiggins instead of someone like Butler, there’s more pressure for a guard like Podziemski to take on the burden as a primary creator especially with Steph Curry off the floor. Playing alongside Butler, a player who can screen and roll, cut, and facilitate out of second-side action, opens up opportunities for Podz to do what he does best: get downhill off the catch and step into pull-up jumpers, floaters, or secondary reads. This becomes even more prevalent when Podziemski shares the floor with all of Butler, Curry, and Draymond Green.
Podziemski isn’t a high-volume creator in isolation. He doesn’t have the type of blow-by speed to constantly get to the next level of the defense on his own. But give him a screen or two-man partner up top or work him off the ball, and Podziemski can do a lot of damage to opposing defenses with rugged strength, soft touch, and playmaking vision.
Increased opportunities where Podziemski has been able to start moving without the ball has helped his efficiency overall, and I’d expect that trend to continue. Even when he’s not shooting efficiently, Brandin has provided value as a defender and rebounder who competes and plays hard. When his shot is falling and he’s able to cut down on his turnovers, it makes the Golden State Warriors’ offense one of the most dangerous in the entire NBA.
A lot of the time, it’s not just about what a player CAN’T do. Good coaches and organizations support their players based on their strengths and put them in situations to succeed that are tailored to what’s best for them and the rest of the team. The Warriors’ read-and-react system isn’t the most friendly for young players to step in and adapt to, but with a number of experienced and intelligent players at the helm, it bodes well for Podziemski to lean in and work off those veterans with what he can provide in a complementary role.
Another example of a player who took on the majority of defenses’ attention at lower levels but has been able to scale his game and fully embrace operating as a high-level role player in the NBA…
7. Bilal Coulibaly, Washington Wizards
Would anyone be shocked if I said that Bilal Coulibaly’s most registered play types per Synergy Sports are pick-and-rolls as the ball handler?
If so, that’s okay. I’m well aware not many casual NBA enjoyers are flipping on Washington Wizards games every night on League Pass. That being said, No Ceilings is home to basketball sickos, and I highly encourage anyone out there who loves the game to check in on what’s going on in Washington.
Excitement for the future of this team likely comes from the rookie class for most, with Alex Sarr, Bub Carrington, and Kyshawn George all having their moments over the course of this season. But this rebuild really started off one year prior, with the draft-day acquisition of the pick that would become Bilal Coulibaly.
In a lengthy profile for No Ceilings, I compared Bilal’s upside to that of a (very) young Victor Oladipo. Oladipo’s first few years in college at Indiana did NOT look like what he was with the Oklahoma City Thunder and Indiana Pacers. Oladipo was an explosive driver for sure, but he didn’t develop the pull-up jumper and pick-and-roll craft until he was a junior, and further rounded out more of those edges as he got reps in the NBA.
Taking a look at Coulibaly, that comparison may have been a touch too optimistic. But I’m still encouraged by the growth I’ve seen from Bilal in his second season.
Without the pull-up jumper being a reliable weapon, Coulibaly hasn’t found efficient success as a pick-and-roll ball handler. What he has gotten better at, though, is changing gears a bit off his initial step and finding better driving/passing angles to get off the ball.
There’s certainly some hesitancy in his approach without a confident pull-up shot. Coulibaly is getting better at dancing in that action, and he’s taking a higher volume of jumpers compared to his rookie season, doing the best he can to adjust in a secondary offensive role.
Coulibaly’s growth overseas happened much quicker than many anticipated, which is why he found himself graduating from the Espoirs league to playing alongside Victor Wembanyama in the LNB Pro A playoffs. Development is far from linear, so growing pains in a rebuilding situation are to be expected.
What is abundantly clear about Coulibaly’s game is that his defense is well ready for the big lights of the league, as he consistently guards the other team’s best offensive option regardless of position. He’s had some of his best moments defending All-Star level point guards like Trae Young this season, but his size and length favor him sliding up to cover small and power forwards as well. He’s got great feet, quick hands, and flips his hips as well as any other wing in the NBA to contain drivers.
I’m a big fan of letting young players explore the studio space and figure out where they fit in best offensively. Coulibaly is getting those reps in Washington, and even though the ratings and efficiency aren’t quite there yet to back up the volume, he continues to have moments and flashes of looking more comfortable with the ball in his hands. Let’s sit back and see if he can finish this year strong heading into his junior campaign.
8. Gradey Dick, Toronto Raptors
Gradey Dick’s offensive game hasn’t yet taken a more meaningful step forward in terms of creation, but what he can do shooting the rock is amongst the best in his sophomore class.
A versatile sharpshooting wing who can make shots both off the catch and on the move, Dick has the type of profile that teams crave in off-ball offensive wings. He’s finding ways to draw contact and get to the free throw line much more frequently than in his first season, and he’s improved as a live-dribble passer in certain play types.
Dick’s struggles still primarily come around the basket offensively, as his finishing hasn’t improved in the way that all signs pointed towards at the beginning of the season. Drawing contact is important, as stated above, but being able to finish through contact and at tough angles after being run off the three-point line is a crucial aspect to any perimeter player’s game. Defenses can close out and take easy jump shots away, but it’s what comes after that initial closeout that matters with regards to offensive development.
Still, Dick ranks in the 85th percentile on spot-up shots per Synergy, so it’s difficult to discredit his game when that’s what his primary role is offensively. Even if he doesn’t become a better creator, Dick can still act as a release valve and hit shots off the catch that few others can due to his size and release point.
The Toronto Raptors need any bit of shooting they can get, and Dick provides that at volume. How he continues to develop in the paint and on defense will determine what his ceiling becomes in the NBA.
9. Keyonte George, Utah Jazz
Keyonte George has most recently been coming off the bench for the Utah Jazz, which has given him a new opportunity to find better efficiency as a scoring guard working against second units.
He’s still playing the equivalent of starter’s minutes, but there’s no question George has found his rhythm as a super sixth man for the Jazz. His numbers are up across the board in terms of efficiency as a reserve, and his best month of the season has been February in regard to playmaking effectiveness.
George has still been a good passer no matter where he’s played in the lineup, which is a testament to his growth as a player coming from college and learning a new position. Still best suited as a combo alongside another player who functions well with the ball in their hands as opposed to playing as a true point, George’s shooting gravity and pull-up capabilities have torched opposing second units of late, with the young guard coming off six games of 20+ points out of his last nine.
When George is at his best, he’s acting as a secondary scorer/distributor in transition pulling up early in the clock for back-breaking jumpers or utilizing second-side actions to put defenses in a bind given his propensity for nailing shots off the dribble.
That type of player is valuable to any team in today’s NBA regardless of whether they’re a starter or coming off the bench. George may very well be best suited as a super sixth man moving forward in his career, but that doesn’t take anything away from his lethality as a microwave offensive weapon.
10. Anthony Black, Orlando Magic
Anthony Black’s career hasn’t exactly played out like many might’ve expected for a relatively high lottery pick, but he’s still one of my favorite young guards to watch in the NBA.
Black plays with great pace and is able to change speeds and manipulate defenders with his ability to accelerate and decelerate at a moment’s notice. He’s shifty, and it causes defenders problems when he gets downhill as a jumbo lead guard.
Able to see over the top of defenses and find gaps to sneak passes through tight windows, Black has the playmaking chops any team would want in a point guard. Couple that together with his defensive metrics, especially over the last month where he rates well in terms of steal and block rates (2.1% apiece) in comparison to his sophomore peers, and there’s a real foundation for a player that fits the mold of what the Orlando Magic has built over the last few drafts: positional size, speed, and defensive toughness.
There’s still room for improvement when it comes to Anthony’s offensive efficiency and turnover rates. Black could stand to pick his spots a bit better and not drive into multiple defenders, which can cause him to cough up live-ball turnovers. His comfort level as a pull-up shooter after taking space is steadily growing, along with his willingness to let catch-and-shoot looks fly. As Black improves as a shooter, it will help him better navigate off screens at the top and make better decisions as a floor general.
It’s hard to find players as well rounded and capable at that position in both transition and halfcourt settings as Black. He was well worth a lottery pick, and continued shooting improvements should eventually land him a starting spot alongside Jalen Suggs in the backcourt. For now, he’s an impactful player off the bench who can help Orlando win games in the short term as much as he projects to in the long term.
Honorable Mentions
Cason Wallace, Oklahoma City Thunder
Cason Wallace’s shooting efficiency hasn’t been what it was last season, especially over the last month—he’s hovering around a 41% shooting mark. But he’s still the type of plug-and-play guard that fits well into what the Oklahoma City Thunder want to do on a possession-to-possession basis. He’s one of the most impactful defenders amongst his sophomore peers who plays with active hands and excellent instincts. Wallace has even picked up some bigger matchups on the wing depending on the lineup. Getting back to shooting at the level he’s capable of from distance will bring him back up the rankings and out of the honorable mentions.
Trayce Jackson-Davis, Golden State Warriors
Trayce Jackson-Davis is as rock solid as they come for a big man. He’s a high-level finisher on the interior capable of taking mismatches off the dribble, faking handoffs, making passing reads, and playing grab-and-go basketball off the glass in transition. What’s not working in his favor is the fact that the Golden State Warriors have moved in a different direction in terms of minutes and usage at the position, favoring either Quinten Post or Draymond Green starting at the five. Jackson-Davis is a great backup on 18-20 minutes a night, and Golden State seems content with playing him in that role for the time being.
Jaime Jaquez Jr., Miami Heat
It’s been a weird season all around for the Miami Heat given the Jimmy Butler drama, but Jaime Jaquez’s sophomore campaign hasn’t been the meaningful step forward the franchise likely hoped for. He’s not having a bad season by any means, but his shooting still hasn’t rebounded to what it was pre-All Star as a rookie. As a downhill driver, Jaquez has the footwork and skill to make defenders miss and make plays as a kick-out passer. But as an off-ball player, his primary role in the NBA, Jaquez’s lack of league-average three-point shooting hasn’t given the Heat any reason to slot him into the starting lineup. He’ll move into this offseason with his outside shooting the primary way to improve his NBA outlook.
Julian Strawther, Denver Nuggets
There have certainly been times this season where Julian Strawther has gone quiet offensively. But when he’s on as a shooter, he’s the exact type of bench player the Denver Nuggets need to contend in the Western Conference. Strawther was one of the best off-ball wings in college basketball at Gonzaga, and as a sophomore NBA player, he’s built much better chemistry with the best passing big man in the game. Strawther cuts hard and fights for offensive rebounds, and man can he shoot the rock on spot-up looks! Strawther’s game scales well in nearly any lineup offensively, and he still has a path to a larger role if he can improve as a defender.
Nick Smith Jr., Charlotte Hornets
Welcome to the honorable mentions, Nick Smith! Over the last few months, Smith has gotten opportunities as a starting shooting guard given multiple injuries across the Charlotte Hornets’ backcourt. He hasn’t progressed as the type of on-ball player he once was projected to be as a high school recruit, but no one has questioned his ability to shoot the ball both in college and in the G League. At the NBA level, he’s been a great option for the Hornets moving into open jump shots and keeping regular spacing from the corners. When he’s gotten the chance, Smith has also shown some passing flashes that leave the door open for him to continue developing as a combo guard. Players who have the upside as shooters like Smith get chances to stick around in the NBA. This late-season stretch is Smith’s chance to put himself on the radar of the Hornets or possibly other teams depending on what his future holds in the league.