Castle steps up; odds to win

The top five rookies in this edition of USA TODAY Sports’ NBA rookie power rankings have scored at least 30 points once in a game this season.

Three of the top five (San Antonio’s Stephon Castle, Los Angeles Lakers‘ Dalton Knecht and Atlanta’s Zaccharie Risacher) have scored at least 30 points in two games. Philadelphia’s Jared McCain, who was in the early Rookie of the Year race but is not in the top five because he had a season-ending surgery on his left knee in December, had games of 30 and 34 points in the first month of the season.

This wasn’t the most heralded rookie class, but several have proven they can be valuable contributors now with room to grow, and Knecht and Memphis’ Jaylen Wells are getting significant minutes on playoff-caliber teams.

The latest edition of the USA TODAY Sports’ rookie power rankings, with odds to win Rookie of th Year and stats through Sunday’s games (odds courtesy of BetMGM):

NBA rookie power rankings

5. Los Angeles Lakers guard Dalton Knecht

2024-25 stats: 20.6 ppg, 3.0 rpg, 46.6% FG, 36.6% 3PT, 75.4% FT

His season has been momentous by any measure — he went from tying an NBA rookie record in November with nine made 3s in a game to having his trade to the Hornets rescinded after Mark Williams failed a physical. Yet, as injuries to LeBron James and Rui Hachimura have piled up, Knecht has played more minutes, and he has delivered, averaging 14.5 points over his past eight games.

Odds: None listed

2024-25 stats: 12.3 ppg, 6.7 rpg, 2.3 apg, 1.5 bpg, 39.2% FG, 32.3% 3PT, 64.5% FT

Sarr has missed time due to injuries, however rookies are not required to play in a minimum number of games to be eligible for Rookie of the Year. And if he stays healthy, he will reach 65 games played this season anyway. In his past 10 games, Sarr averaged 15.8 points, 6.8 rebounds, 2.9 assists and 1.5 blocks and shot 37.7% from the field and 37.3% on 3s. His shooting efficiency needs improvement but the tools are there. In consecutive victories over playoff teams, Sarr had 19 points, five rebounds, four blocks and three assists against Detroit on March 13 and a career-high 34 points with six rebounds, five assists, one steal and one block against Denver on March 15.

Odds: +5000

3. Atlanta Hawks forward Zaccharie Risacher

2024-25 stats: 11.7 ppg, 3.7 rpg, 1.2 apg, 44.4% FG, 34.3% 3PT, 71.4% FT

Though he’s still susceptible to drastic swings in production, Risacher has continued to improve and has shown glimpses of what his future could be with more work in the offseason to refine his game and bulk up. Still 19, Risacher has shown an ability to knock down jumpers with range and solid footwork when attacking the rim. He’s averaging 14 points since Jan. 30.

Odds: +1600

2024-25 stats: 10.8 ppg, 3.3 rpg, 1.7 apg, 43.3% FG, 36% 3PT, 80.5% FT

His scoring has dipped recently, which may be allowing Castle to build a lead in the battle for Rookie of the Year. Wells is averaging just 5.3 points on 25.5% shooting from the floor over his past seven games. While Wells has a track record of success this season, the timing of this late-season slump is hurting his chances.

Odds: +1600

2024-25 stats: 13.7 ppg, 3.5 apg, 3.1 rpg, 42.7% FG, 28.1% 3PT, 71.9% FT

With Victor Wembanyama and De’Aaron Fox out for the season, Castle is receiving more opportunities and has improved his scoring efficiency. In his past 21 games, Castle averaged 17.1 points, 4.0 rebounds, 3.4 assists and 1.3 steals and shot 46.8% from the field, 30.4% on 3-pointers and 71.9% on free throws. During that stretch, he has taken just two more field-goal attempts per game than his season average but is scoring nearly four more points per game. The No. 4 pick in the 2024 draft, Castle had 32 points and eight rebounds against Oklahoma City on March 2. The day before, he had 24 points, three rebounds and seven assists in a victory against Memphis. With his size, Castle provides scoring, rebounding and passing versatility and has proven himself a valuable asset for the Spurs.

Odds: -900

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(This story has been updated to add a new video).