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ESPN Senior Writer- Co-author, Pro Basketball Prospectus series
- Formerly a consultant with the Indiana Pacers
- Developed WARP rating and SCHOENE system
There is less than a month left in the 2023-24 regular season, and the rookie of the year race appears to be coming closer to a conclusion. No. 1 overall pick Victor Wembanyama is the favorite at ESPN Bet and is in line to become the first rookie to lead the league in blocks since Manute Bol in 1985-86. He's also fast approaching the 65-game minimum to earn consideration for All-NBA and All-Defensive teams.
Meanwhile, Chet Holmgren, the No. 2 overall pick in 2022, has yet to miss a game this season. And while he's fallen behind Wembanyama in the rookie of the year race -- and our rankings -- his season will extend beyond Wembanyama's as the Oklahoma City Thunder battle for the top seed in the Western Conference playoffs.
All season, ESPN's Bobby Marks and Kevin Pelton will be checking in on first-year players -- including Holmgren, who is eligible for rookie of the year after missing his first season in the NBA because of injury -- and ranking their top 10.