The 2024 NBA rookie class is navigating their sophomore seasons with a mix of promise and challenges in the early 2025-26 campaign. Standouts like Stephon Castle and Alex Sarr have elevated their games, while others such as Tidjane Salaün struggle for minutes. Grades range from A+ to F across the first-round picks.
As the 2025-26 NBA season approaches the one-month mark, the 2024 draft class offers a varied sophomore outlook. Zaccharie Risacher, the No. 1 overall pick for the Atlanta Hawks, has been a reliable starter despite an early ankle injury. Since November, he's contributed to a plus-13.3 net rating on the floor for the 9-5 Hawks, though a recent hip contusion from a fall raises concerns about missed time. His grade: B.
Alex Sarr has shone for the struggling Washington Wizards, boosting every major stat from his rookie year. He's notched two 30-point games already, up from one last season, and averages 1.9 dunks per game. Grade: A.
Reed Sheppard has stepped up for the Houston Rockets amid Fred VanVleet's injury, shooting 53.2% from three in November and 59.5% on wide-open attempts. Grade: B+.
Stephon Castle, last year's Rookie of the Year, has fueled the San Antonio Spurs' 9-4 start with 7.8 assists per game, leading all sophomores. A hip injury in a win over the Kings clouds his status. Grade: A+.
Challenges persist elsewhere. Ron Holland of the Detroit Pistons shoots 38.6% from the field, earning a C+. Tidjane Salaün was demoted to the G League after seven games with the Charlotte Hornets, graded F. Donovan Clingan provides steady defense for his team but struggles at 20% from three.
Second-rounders like Ajay Mitchell (Oklahoma City Thunder) average 16.7 points in a 13-1 start, while undrafted Jaylen Jenkins has averaged 20.7 points in recent Pistons games. Overall, the class shows growth amid injuries and rotations.