The NBA announced its All-Rookie Teams and the first team won't surprise many, if it all. Rookie of the Year Victor Wembanyama headlines a group that includes Chet Holmgren, Brandon Miller, Jamie Jaquez Jr., and Brandin Podziemski.
The first team selections reflects Rookie of the Year voting. The San Antonio Spurs generational talent finished first in total points as assigned for first, second, and third-place votes. Podziemski, the Golden State Warriors guard who replaced Klay Thompson as a starter during the season, finished fifth in point totals.
NBA All-Rookie First Team
Victor Wembanyama was unanimously selected to the 2023-24 Kia NBA All-Rookie First Team. It follows suit for the phenom from France. In winning the Wilt Chamberlain Trophy as the Rookie of the Year, Wemby became the first player since current Minnesota Timberwolves Western Conference finalist Karl-Anthony Towns in the 2015-16 season to receive every first-place vote from a media panel. In earning all 99 first-place votes, the 20-year-old from France led all rookies in points (21.4), rebounds (10.6) and blocks (3.6) per game, in addition to ranking fourth in assists (3.9) and second in steals (1.2) per game.
He's only the second rookie ever to lead all NBA players in blocks per game in a season, joining Manute Bol (1985-86). Wembanyama becomes the 12th player in Spurs franchise history to be named All-Rookie (eight first-team selections) and their first to receive First-Team honors since Kawhi Leonard in 2011-12.
Oklahoma City Thunder center Chet Holmgren garnered 98 of the 99 Rookie of the Year votes for second place, averaging 16.5 points, 7.9 rebounds, 2.9 blocks, and 2.4 assists while starting all 82 games for a squad that finished atop in the West before falling to the Dallas Mavericks in the conference semifinals. Though he was taken second overall in the 2022 draft, the former Gonzaga star was unable to play at all that ensuing year because of a preseason injury.
Charlotte Hornets swingman Brandon Miller finished third in ROY voting. The former Alabama star started the season as a sixth man, but may have been the team's most effective offensive player toward the end of the season. He won three successive Eastern Conference Rookie of The Month awards for January, February, and March.
With all ten of his ROY voting points coming on ten third-place votes, Miami Heat forward Jaquez finished fourth in the Rookie of the Year voting. Unlike the three aforementioned players, the UCLA alum was not a top-two pick. Jaquez went 18th in the draft before averaging 11.9 points, 3.8 rebounds and 2.6 assists on 48 percent shooting.
Warriors guard Brandin Podziemski got four of a possible 99 third-place votes in the ROY race. With that, the 19th pick last summer finished 5th in the ROY vote. Podziemski averaged 9.2 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 3.7 assists, made 38.5% of his three-pointers, and led the Warriors in plus-minus, even ahead of Draymond Green and Steph Curry. He led the league in charges drawn with 38.
Rookie Second team
The Kia NBA All-Rookie Second Team consists of Dallas Mavericks center Dereck Lively II, Houston Rockets guard-forward Amen Thompson, Utah Jazz guard Keyonte George, Oklahoma City guard Cason Wallace, and Memphis Grizzlies forward GG Jackson II.
Follow Us
Subscribe