NBA’s most interesting sophomores: Where Chet, Wemby rank

One fascinating subplot entering the 2024-25 NBA season is the continued growth of the promising 2023 rookie class, a group of players led by the San Antonio Spurs’ Victor Wembanyama and the Oklahoma City Thunder’s Chet Holmgren (who was drafted in 2022 but missed all of his rookie season because of injury).

It’s a young corps that sparks intrigue as they improve and advance into their sophomore seasons in the league. Who will inevitably take steps forward, and who might hit the sophomore slump? These are questions hanging over many of the league’s rebuilding teams in particular.

With NBA training camps approaching in a month, let’s take a look at 10 second-year players positioned to make an impact.

There are no hard criteria for this ranking other than building a scale of who’s the most “interesting,” which is admittedly arbitrary. We leaned into players who should spark viewing curiosity, and who have much to gain with a successful sophomore season. So, qualified candidates such as Jaime Jaquez Jr. (Miami Heat), Dereck Lively II (Dallas Mavericks) and Brandin Podziemski (Golden State Warriors) — who established themselves as important players on winning teams last season — were omitted from this list, primarily because we already know what to expect from them.

Let’s get started:

10. GG Jackson II, F, Memphis Grizzlies

Age: 19 | 2023 draft: No. 45

Rookie season superlative: Once a top-ranked high school recruit, the 6-foot-8 forward fell to Memphis with the No. 45 pick, after a polarizing season at South Carolina and an underwhelming pre-draft process. After playing well in the G League, he turned in some promising games late last season, including 44 points and 12 rebounds in the Grizzlies’ regular-season finale.

Why he’s ranked here: Jackson carried the momentum from last season into a productive summer league in Las Vegas.

At 19, he’s still younger than many players in the 2024 rookie class. And his successful developmental “redshirt” year would seem to put Jackson in the mix for rotation minutes in Memphis. He’s athletic and covers ground defensively, he can create shots, space the floor and rebound. Shot selection, turnovers and general tunnel vision have been his weaknesses at this point in his career. He might be talented enough to overcome that, but the adjustment is ongoing.

Can Jackson play team basketball at a high level? We’ll soon find out, but the Grizzlies have enough playmakers to theoretically mitigate Jackson’s decision-making responsibilities. He looks well worth that second-round swing already — and if he can become a rotational fixture, it could be a serious boost for the Grizzlies, who are already entering a critical season with the return of star guard Ja Morant.

9. Cam Whitmore, F, Houston Rockets

Age: 20 | 2023 draft: No. 20

Rookie season superlative: After a surprising slide to the 20th pick in the draft, Whitmore worked his way into a contributing role in Houston last season, flashing his talent as a scorer on a team full of talented young players. Scant few players in the NBA can run, jump and viscerally dunk with Whitmore’s power and speed, and his fall out of the lottery looks like a coup for the Rockets.

Why he’s ranked here: Whitmore had a positive rookie season, starting to turn a corner with an improving motor and figuring out how to turn his athletic gifts into easy buckets. While he’s still very shoot-first and isn’t much of a playmaker, he’s settling into a play-finishing wing role that plays to his strengths as a cutter, shooter and transition scorer.

It would be easy to say he deserves more minutes, but Houston is trying to win while simultaneously developing its younger players. The Rockets will again be splitting wing minutes between him, Jalen Green, Amen Thompson and Dillon Brooks, and will also be working rookie Reed Sheppard into the mix. Theoretically, Whitmore fits perfectly alongside Houston’s other playmakers, but he’s going to have to make the most of what minutes he gets.

The flashes Whitmore continues to show have been loud, and if he can work his way into an expanded role, Houston might have an enviable, if difficult task finding time for everyone.

8. Keyonte George, G, Utah Jazz

Age: 20 | 2023 draft: No. 16

Rookie season superlative: The Jazz experimented with George — who played as more of a combo 2 previously — at point guard, getting him extended ballhandling reps and allowing him to stretch himself and learn on the job. Despite growing pains, shooting just 39% from the field, George adjusted well enough to make the All-Rookie team.

Why he’s ranked here: There is optimism surrounding George’s progress, bolstered by excellent showing at summer league in July: his long-term upside lies at the point, where he’s better-suited physically for the position. The Jazz are hoping George can continue growing into that role, and he has always been viewed around the league as a talented scoring prospect, but he’s still facing a steep learning curve.

Utah selected point guard Isaiah Collier with the No. 29 pick in June’s draft, but he’ll be a developmental player for at least the next couple of seasons, leaving the opportunity for George to assume more responsibility handling the ball.

The Jazz aren’t in a hurry to return to playoff contention, and they can let George work through mistakes. What Utah will be looking for is tangible progress, as a decision-maker running the team, a more consistently engaged defender, and a more efficient scorer overall. George has a nice runway this season to turn a corner in his development.

7. Ausar Thompson, F, Detroit Pistons

Age: 21 | 2023 draft: No. 5

Rookie season superlative: In a year where not much went right for the Pistons, Thompson displayed major defensive potential and shot 48% from the field, before his season ended early because of treatment for blood clots. He managed to be efficient on limited volume despite struggling to make shots from long range.

Why he’s ranked here: The Pistons as constituted are nothing if not fascinating: the rest of the NBA is watching closely to see how Detroit’s young players mesh. Rookie Ron Holland joins a group of blue-chip perimeter players in Cade Cunningham, Jaden Ivey and Thompson, all of whom prefer to have the ball in their hands, and none of whom have shot the ball particularly well from long range. It’s worth noting that new Pistons general manager Trajan Langdon brought with him from the New Orleans Pelicans well-reputed shooting coach Fred Vinson, who could have a positive impact in that respect.

When trying to frame the Pistons’ future, there’s an argument to be made that Thompson is the most important player in that group, largely due to the fact he could be the most malleable. He has elite athleticism and plus positional size, and is on track to become a top-flight wing defender. But he has struggled to make shots from long range, making just 18% of his 3s as a rookie.

It’s a tall task to make a leap from that clip into average territory in one summer. For Thompson to tap into the breadth of his versatility, he’ll need to at least keep defenders honest from outside.

Thompson’s defense will always give him a case for playing time, but to realize his full potential, and to become the type of connective glue that could propel the Pistons’ group forward, he’s going to have to make strides offensively to space the floor and keep defenders honest. Presuming a return to full health, this season is an important growth opportunity for him.

6. Anthony Black, G, Orlando Magic

Age: 20 | 2023 draft: No. 6

Rookie season superlative: Black had positive flashes as a rookie in a sporadic role, showcasing his unselfishness, feel for the game and defensive chops when given the chance. Black is already a terrific defender, with great size, good lateral quickness and instincts that allow him to cover smaller guards as well as bigger wings.

Why he’s ranked here: Orlando signed Kentavious Caldwell-Pope to bolster its wing rotation, but there should be an opportunity for Black to carve out minutes off the bench. His ability to handle the ball, create shots for teammates, and guard multiple positions at a high level makes him a potential difference-maker in the long run. If his offense progresses, there should be an opportunity for Black to help run Orlando’s bench units, which will afford him valuable playmaking reps and expand his comfort level playing on the ball.

The key for Black will be improving his shooting: he made a respectable 39% of his 3s last season, but attempted just 94 of them. The Magic like to deploy big, versatile lineups that run heavily through Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner, which puts a premium on having shooters positioned around them. And if Black can increase his confidence and volume from range — making him a player defenses have to respect — it’s hard not to see him earning a big role.

Black is the type of talent who can shape the Magic’s future — but with Orlando angling to win big, he’s going to have to earn his role. A significant leap could make him a big piece of the puzzle.

5. Scoot Henderson, G, Portland Trail Blazers

Age: 20 | 2023 draft: No. 3

Rookie season superlative: Henderson’s rookie season didn’t live up to the considerable hype, as he shot just 38% from the field and averaged 3.4 turnovers. In his defense, he walked into a less than ideal development situation on a mishmash Blazers roster that won 21 games, transitioning into a new era after trading Damian Lillard. He was adjusting to playing off the ball at times, was thrust into the starting lineup on and off, and dealt with injuries.

It’s difficult to tie a ribbon around the fact that Henderson’s rookie season wasn’t very good. Most rookie point guards aren’t stars, but after two years in the G League, there was reasonable expectation for a smoother adjustment.

Why he’s ranked here: In theory, things should get much easier for Henderson as he gains experience. Last season’s struggles will put him under the microscope, but he has the strength and speed to be a difference-maker at point guard. Oftentimes, we see players with superior physical gifts at a young age face steeper transitions going up levels, as their athletic advantages diminish and their processing speed becomes more critical to their success. Some patience is warranted here.

Still, the fact is that Henderson’s shooting and decision-making have to improve markedly — not only for him to sniff stardom, but for him to simply settle in as a legitimate starter in Portland. He played better toward the final stretch of last season, and will have all the time he needs to figure things out.

While the Blazers don’t have lofty expectations in 2024-25, this will be a critical season for Henderson to move the needle in the right direction and remind people why he was such an interesting prospect to begin with.

4. Brandon Miller, F, Charlotte Hornets

Age: 21 | 2023 draft: No. 2

Rookie season superlative: The Hornets’ faith in Miller, selecting him with second pick, was rewarded last season. He got his feet wet during a positive rookie campaign and flashed star potential. He was effective both as a pick-and-roll player and off-ball threat and was a threat to score at all three levels, winning Eastern Conference Rookie of the Month three times and making the All-Rookie team.

Why he’s ranked here: It’s clear from Charlotte’s selection of Tidjane Salaun that the Hornets are going to take a patient approach to building the team out — Miller is 21, LaMelo Ball and Mark Williams are 22, and there’s time for them to try and get the parts right around those three players.

But it might be a matter of time before Miller bypasses Ball as the face of the team. A larger offensive workload is likely coming his way and his size, shooting chops, and instincts will be tough to cover for defenses. It’s quite possible a year of experience brings improvement across the board for Miller, who could lead his team in scoring in Year 2 with new coach Charles Lee.

Miller has the size and shot-creation ability to establish himself as one of the league’s better young wings, and potentially a star, although there’s plenty of growth ahead. He’ll need to focus on his shot selection and ability to score in the paint and finish through contact, which has been an area for improvement for him the past couple of years. Charlotte would also like to see him continue growing as a playmaker. There’s All-Star level ability here long-term, assuming his steady progression continues.

3. Chet Holmgren, PF, Oklahoma City Thunder

Age: 22 | 2022 draft: No. 2

Rookie season superlative: After missing what was supposed to be his rookie season with a Lisfranc injury to his right foot, Holmgren broke out in his first campaign with the Thunder, averaging 16.5 points, shooting 53% from the field, leading the team in rebounding and anchoring the defense on the Western Conference’s top seed.

Why he’s ranked here: If last season is going to be the absolute baseline for what Holmgren provides the Thunder, from his offensive scheme versatility and perimeter skill to his paint protection, the future is a scary thought. Suffice it to say that no player on this list figures to be more consequential in the actual championship race, as Holmgren will again play a major role on an evolving, exciting Oklahoma City team.

Many around the league are also curious to see how Holmgren’s offensive role expands. He played primarily as a super-sized roller and spacer to great effect last season. Part of the intrigue with him has always been his flashes of creation off the dribble and rising up over defenses.

The Thunder have plenty of shot-creation on the roster, and Holmgren isn’t often tasked with a ton of responsibility beyond finishing plays — but he has always possessed a unique ability to smoothly put the ball on the floor and knock down jumpers at his size. Presumably, he’ll continue refining his individual offense, making him even more dangerous flashing out onto the perimeter and even more of a threat playing out of screens with OKC’s other ball-handlers.

How much Holmgren, who is listed at just 208 pounds, can ultimately improve physically in terms of strength, has always been a question. It’s clear his game translates with or without extra mass, but it will be fascinating to see how his frame develops. If he can bulk up a bit without sacrificing any of the coordination and movement skills that have made him a special player, it should make him even more effective handling contact in the run of play. He has never needed to be heavy — but there’s room for his body to develop in a way that aids him both as a scorer and defender on the interior.

Whatever the skilled 7-footer can add to his game this season is gravy for the Thunder, who will rely on him even more moving forward.

2. Amen Thompson, F, Houston Rockets

Age: 21 | 2023 draft: No. 4

Rookie season superlative: Thompson came on as strong as any rookie after the All-Star break, as his minutes surged in March and he emerged as an offensive catalyst for the Rockets, as well as an excellent rebounder and athletic defender on the perimeter.

Thompson is among the best athletes in the league — he can play fast and under control at 6-7, he has an extra gear most players don’t and can use it to attack the rim. He managed to be effective last season without a consistent jump shot, beating defenders into the paint and to the foul line using those gifts in lieu of a reliable jumper.

Entering last year’s draft, there was a popular argument that Thompson’s upside was higher than anyone not named Wembanyama, and that’s mostly held true based on what he has flashed already.

Why he’s ranked here: He’s also in a pretty optimal situation in Houston, which has other ball handlers (Fred Van Vleet, Jalen Green, incoming rookie Reed Sheppard) to take some of the playmaking load off, and could have ample shooting on the floor around Thompson if Green, Jabari Smith and others can make progress in that department.

Thompson’s upside is the highest on the Rockets’ roster, and presumably Houston will want to get him the requisite on-ball reps to keep actualizing that potential. In turn, defenses are going to start keying more heavily on him — particularly if he doesn’t make progress shooting from deep. He’s so quick and explosive that he can attack space when defenders sag off him — but it’s still not optimal if he can be left alone late in the clock, or if defenses can comfortably load up to try and take away his drives.

How Thompson handles a full season as a featured player — one who likely has more say over the Rockets’ long-term fate than anyone — could veer into must-watch territory if things continue to click.

1. Victor Wembanyama, C, San Antonio Spurs

Age: 20 | 2023 draft: No. 1

Rookie season superlative: Wembanyama’s historic rookie line — 21 points on 46% shooting, 10.6 rebounds, 3.9 assists, 3.6 blocks and 1.2 steals in just 29.7 minutes per game — offers a pretty mind-boggling production floor for him to build on. At 20 years old, he’s already one of the best defensive players in the league, becoming the first rookie to make first team All-Defense.

Why he’s ranked No. 1 overall: Forget sophomores — I’d argue Wembanyama, the evolution of his staggering talent, and how the Spurs decide to build their roster around him, is as interesting a situation to monitor as any in the NBA. He performed essentially as advertised — an unusually tall task, considering the level of hype he earned before arriving stateside.

Part of Wembanyama’s mentality is driven by creativity — he’s constantly stretching his own skills to the limit and testing what he can do at 7-5. San Antonio isn’t putting him in a box offensively, allowing him to experiment with shot selection and handle the ball. Wembanyama’s dominance in the paint helps compensate as his jump shooting (31.7% on all attempts, per Synergy) continues to improve. He has become a much better passer over the past year. He’s not going to get any easier for opposing teams to deal with.