The NBA's current rookie class is one of the best that the league has seen in several years in terms of talent. That actually translating to on-court production is a completely different step these players have to take.
At this point, most of the top rookies in this class have played at least a few games and have started to show just how high their respective ceilings are. With that in mind, there's been quite a few that have already made a significant impact on winning, acting as a key piece already.
Who brought home the hardware this week in our first round of awards for the 2023-24 season?
Eastern Conference
Ausar Thompson (Detroit Pistons)
Stats Since Last Week: 6 GP | 11.0 PPG | 9.3 RPG | 4.0 APG | 1.8 BPG | 0.7 SPG
The offensive side of the ball still needs work, but that was expected for Ausar Thompson. As good as he is, the jumper and overall polish on that end was always going to be the swing skill at the NBA level. Regardless, his defense has been so good thus far that he's made his case as one of the most impressive rookies in this class.
Through his first five games of the season, Thompson notched an 82 DSI according to Cerebro Sports, which is absolutely insane for a rookie. Not only has he been disruptive, but it's been against some of the best players in the league. When isolated on one player, even a prolific scorer, he is making their life difficult on-ball.
Western Conference
Victor Wembanyama (San Antonio Spurs)
Stats Since Last Week: 5 GP | 20.6 PPG | 8.0 RPG | 2.2 BPG | 1.4 SPG | 50.0% FG
While statistically Chet Holmgren was arguably just as good as Victor Wembanyama through the first week, he’s hit a new level more recently. What the French big has been able to do is simply special. On both ends of the floor, he's already changing the game. Especially late in contests, he's proven to be lethal in the fourth quarter.
Even with the absurd expectations he entered the league with, Wembanyama has still been more than anyone could have expected through his first week and a half of NBA basketball. To say he is a generational talent might be underselling it. He's more of a once in a lifetime type of prospect, who has a chance to be one of the best ever if he can stay healthy.
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