Predicting Statistical Leaders For The 2024-25 Rookie Class

These rookies are most likely to lead in points, rebounds, assists, steals, and blocks.

Jul 13, 2024; Las Vegas, NV, USA; San Antonio Spurs guard Stephon Castle (5) dribbles against the Portland Trail Blazers during the first quarter at Thomas & Mack Center. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports / Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports

Among the many ways for a rookie to stand out within their class, one of the loudest is through leading in a major statistical category. At maximum, five players will earn such a distinction this upcoming season. While there are many plausible candidates to lead all first-year players in points, rebounds, assists, steals, or blocks, these five boast the best chance at topping the leaderboard. 

Points Per Game: Matas Buzelis, Chicago Bulls

Jul 14, 2024; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Chicago Bulls forward Matas Buzelis (14) awaits a free throw attempt against the Golden State Warriors during the fourth quarter at Thomas & Mack Center. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports / Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports

While it’s rare that a non-top ten pick leads all rookies in scoring, Buzelis has the skill and opportunity to do so in a class absent of blue-chip prospects. He’s a proficient scorer at the rim and in the mid-range, who can both finish plays and get his own off the dribble. Further, if he carries his summer league success from three into the regular season, he’ll be dangerous from all three levels. The 6-foot-9 forward is joining a Bulls team without high expectations nor featured star creators, so he boasts the opportunity to scale his scoring up in ways that other rookies can’t. 

Rebounds Per Game: Zach Edey, Memphis Grizzlies

Zach Edey, a first-round draft pick for the Grizzlies, smiles during a press conference to introduce the team’s 2024 NBA Draft picks at FedExForum on Friday, June 28, 2024. / Chris Day/The Commercial Appeal / USA TODAY NETWORK

While a strong candidate to lead rookies in points per game, the 7-foot-4 Edey is an even bigger threat to lead all rookies in rebounding. Fresh off back-to-back college seasons in which the National Player Of The Year averaged over 12 rebounds per game, the former Purdue Boilermaker will fill the center position for the Grizzlies in large part due to his dominance on the boards. He racks up rebounds on both ends of the floor, which will be integral for Memphis. 

Assists Per Game: Stephon Castle, San Antonio Spurs

Jul 13, 2024; Las Vegas, NV, USA; San Antonio Spurs guard Stephon Castle (5) shoots against Portland Trail Blazers center Donovan Clingan (23) during the first quarter at Thomas & Mack Center. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports / Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports

In his minutes at the point guard position, Castle will get plenty of opportunities to show off his passing acumen. The 6-foot-5 rookie exhibited a great feel for making smart reads in his lone season at UConn. Plus, by sharing the court with the 7-foot-4 Victor Wembanyama, Castle will have a big target to finish plays for him. 

Steals Per Game: Reed Sheppard, Houston Rockets

Jul 14, 2024; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Houston Rockets guard Reed Sheppard (15) reacts after scoring against the Washington Wizards during the third quarter at Thomas & Mack Center. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports / Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports

While best known for his three-point mastery, Sheppard is also extremely good at prying the ball loose. With stellar anticipation and strong hands, he racked up 2.5 steals per contest as a freshman at Kentucky. As the 2024 draftees make the transition to the pros, nobody is more equipped to notch steals than Sheppard.

Blocks Per Game: Donovan Clingan, Portland Trail Blazers

Jul 15, 2024; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Portland Trail Blazers center Donovan Clingan (23) competes against Philadelphia 76ers forward/center Adem Bona (30) during the second half at Thomas & Mack Center. Mandatory Credit: Lucas Peltier-USA TODAY Sports / Lucas Peltier-USA TODAY Sports

The best defender among incoming rookies, the 7-foot-2 Clingan is a monstrous rim protector. In addition to his size, he brings incredible timing and ball-tracking on his shot contests at the rim. After averaging 2.5 blocks per game as a sophomore at UConn last season, there’s a good chance Clingan is one of the top shot-blockers among all players in the NBA.

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