NBA sophomores to watch in 2025-26

While not as laden with star potential as this year's crop, last season’s rookies proved more fun to assess than many thought.

Second-year development is always fascinating to watch and with some players entering very different scenarios from year one to year two, let’s take a look at the sophomores that we should be watching.

Jared McCain – Philadelphia 76ers

A torn meniscus robbed McCain of a potential Rookie of the Year season, as the sharp-shooter averaged 15.3 points in 25 minutes before his season was cut short at 23 games. The 16th overall selection in 2024, McCain’s jumper and unexpected ability to score off the bounce translated instantly to the pro game.

Alongside Tyrese Maxey and incoming rookie VJ Edgecombe, the Sixers sport a formidable young perimeter trio. How they mesh with the ageing and perennially injured Joel Embiid and Paul George will be fascinating to observe.

McCain’s ability to stretch the floor makes him the most natural fit between the old and new generation of Sixers. That should allow him to navigate any power struggle that brews between the veteran frontcourt and the exciting perimeter players the Sixers sport.

Stephon Castle – San Antonio Spurs

The reigning Rookie of the Year averaged 14.7 points and 4.1 assists in 26.7 minutes last season. He played significantly better in his 47 stars than his 34 games off the bench (+4.6 points, +2.0 assists, +.19 true shooting, despite slightly lower usage) and came on strong towards the end of the campaign. Defensively sound and often devastating attacking the basket, Castle looks a keeper.

However, the landscape has changed significantly in San Antonio from just 12 months ago. The mid-season acquisition of De’Aaron Fox gave San Antonio a veteran floor general, and a significant slice of lottery luck saw them jump up to select guard Dylan Harper at pick two.

All three players are at their best with the basketball in their possession, meaning that someone will have to sacrifice. Castle, easily the best defender of the trio, and perhaps the most unselfish with the ball, stands out as the primary candidate. For him to succeed off ball, he’ll need to start knocking down outside jumpers (28.5 percent last year).

Alex Sarr – Washington Wizards

The talented big man remains a project, but those fuzzy outlines became clearer as his rookie season progressed. Posting 13 points, 6.5 rebounds 2.4 assists and 1.5 blocks as a 19-year-old (turned 20 April 26), Sarr showed enough to suggest he could be a defensive force with some offensive juice, as the Wizards coaching staff allowed Sarr to ply through his mistakes and stretch himself as a playmaker.

Th Wizards have bought into the youth movement, with five 2024 first rounders on their books, as well as the recently acquired microwave scorer Cam Whitmore. With all those youngsters around, somebody will have to step up as an on-court leader (Khris Middleton and CJ McCollum can take care of the locker room). Does Sarr have that sort of capability?

Sarr possess elite physical abilities and superb defensive instincts. If his offensive game can progress, the Wizards might have their centerpiece.

Matas Buzelis – Chicago Bulls

Buzelis’ rookie campaign was on a slow cook until Zach LaVine got traded. Once elevated to LaVine’s starting spot, the local product thrived, averaging 13 points, 4.5 boards and 1.1 blocks per game while producing some eye-catching plays.

The Bulls up-tempo style fit right into the athletic strengths of Buzelis, whose play in the open floor is breathtaking. To that end, the re-signing of point guard Josh Giddey is imperative to Buzelis’ growth, with the two seemingly developing a mind meld through the back end of the year.

While Buzelis stands to get the ball more in year two no matter what, removing Giddey from the equation would see him get to do a whole lot more.