The sample size for nearly every rookie is now enough to start making real projections. Until you see a player in an NBA system and against these elite talents, it’s difficult to do so. Over the final week and a half of the season, the majority of NBA rookies will see their regular seasons come to an end since they’re on non-playoff teams.
In the meantime, who brought home the hardware this week?
Eastern Conference
Brandon Miller (Charlotte Hornets)
Stats Since Last Week: 4 GP | 18.5 PPG | 4.0 RPG | 2.5 APG
Charlotte continues to struggle in pulling together wins, but Miller remains a bright spot on this team. If the Hornets are going to break out and be competitive in the future, there’s no question he will play a primary role next to LaMelo Ball. The scoring upside as a jumbo wing is special, especially given he can also defend.
Miller still struggles with efficiency at times, but he’s operating as a number one option on an NBA team as a rookie so it’s expected. He was well worth the No. 2 overall pick in the 2023 NBA Draft and truly has All-Star potential. With his rookie season winding down, Miller has earned an 83 3PE and 73 DSI from Cerebro Sports, which speaks to his two-way talent.
Western Conference
Victor Wembanyama (San Antonio Spurs)
Stats Since Last Week: 3 GP | 31.7 PPG | 14.7 RPG | 6.7APG | 4.3 BPG
Is there anything Wembanyama can’t do? Over the past week, he notched a 40-point, 20-rebound contest while being a game-changer on both ends. Not only is he nearly impossible to defend on one end and extremely difficult to score against on the other, but he’s also one of the best passers in this rookie class.
At 7-foot-4, averaging nearly seven assists per game over the past week is just absurd. If anyone’s going to produce a quadruple-double in the next few years, put Wembanyama at the top of the list. His rookie season has just a few games remaining, but he’s been better than anyone could have expected — even with the sky-high expectations he entered the NBA with.