Jared McCain’s Injury Shakes Up Rookie of the Year Race

We’re just about at the two-month mark of the NBA season, and it’s time for another edition of Rookie of the Year rankings. We’ve learned a lot about this class of rookies, primarily that there are some really solid defenders among them. Players like Jaylen Wells and Stephon Castle have been trusted heavily by their respective teams to take on some of the toughest defensive assignments every night. Even the top two picks in the draft, Alex Sarr and Zaccharie Risacher, are proving their worth on the defensive end right now.

The defense has been impressive, but what’s been surprising is the lack of scorers in this crop of freshmen. Several players are still unrefined on the offensive end, and it’s going to take a couple of years before they start scoring in bunches. But seeing so many rookies struggling to crack the 10-point per game average is truly surprising, especially considering how offense-happy the league is. It’s quite possible we may end up with a Rookie of the Year winner who averages under 15 points per night.

But let’s not get ahead of ourselves — for now, let’s focus on the rookies so far. We’re breaking down this class two months into the season, and we’ll continue these rankings on a month-to-month basis, as they will serve as Rookie of the Year standings.

Honorable mentions:

• Dalton Knecht, Los Angeles Lakers

  • (Season stats: 10.6 points, 3.7 rebounds, 46.8% FG, 37.6% 3P): Since his 37-point outing in mid-November, Knecht has slowed in production, with a dip in efficiency. However, he’s shown bright spots on a Lakers team still struggling to find its footing.

• Alex Sarr, Washington Wizards

  • (Season stats: 10.9 points, 6.3 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 38.8% FG, 26.5% 3P): Sarr has shown signs of improvement, especially from 3-point range, where he’s shooting 36% over the last month.

• Carlton Carrington, Washington Wizards

  • (Season stats: 9.0 points, 4.4 rebounds, 4.0 assists, 38.6% FG, 32.7% 3P): Carrington’s production has declined, but his potential assists remain second among rookies in the last month.

Top 5 Rookies:

5. Missi, New Orleans Pelicans
Missi has become an unlikely starter for the Pelicans after the team was hit with significant injuries. In fact, Missi is the rookie leader in rebounds per game and has registered the most double-doubles among rookies. In a career-high 23-point game against the Hawks, he became the fifth rookie in Pelicans’ history to score 20+ points and 10+ rebounds in a game. Coach Willie Green praised Missi’s performance, highlighting his ability to improve quickly and become a solid building block for the future.

4. Zaccharie Risacher, Atlanta Hawks

• The No. 1 overall pick, Risacher has modest counting stats but his defense is the standout. Hawks coach Quin Snyder has praised Risacher’s versatility defensively, which is the most notable part of his game so far. Though his offense is still developing, his defense gives fans a glimpse into what he can become. Risacher’s recent performances show promise, even if it’s only occasionally.

3. Jaylen Wells, Memphis Grizzlies

• Jaylen Wells has become a mainstay in Memphis’ starting lineup due to his impressive defense and shooting nearly 40% from 3-point range. One of the most notable aspects of Wells’ game is his determination to fight through screens, even when it doesn’t always work in his favor. His effort on defense, especially against star players, has been key to his early success, making him a consistent contributor for the Grizzlies.

2. Stephon Castle, San Antonio Spurs

• Stephon Castle had a standout performance in late November, leading the Spurs to an upset win over the Warriors. His defense against Stephen Curry was a key factor in holding Curry to his worst shooting performance of the season. Castle’s offense has been a work in progress, but he’s shown flashes of brilliance, such as his 22-point performance against the Lakers. He’s shown he can score efficiently and be a crucial player for the Spurs’ future.

With Jared McCain out indefinitely with a torn meniscus, the door is wide open for rookies like Stephon Castle, Jaylen Wells, and others to step up and make their case for Rookie of the Year. The injury has opened up a crucial opportunity for other players to shine and potentially take McCain’s spot as the frontrunner in the race.