The NBA consistently welcomes a crop of new and promising young talents each year, and the current rookie class is notably one of the best in recent memory.
Standout prospects such as Victor Wembanyama, widely regarded as one of the greatest prospects in NBA history, have garnered immense hype from observers, especially from his team, the San Antonio Spurs.
Meanwhile, Scoot Henderson, twin brothers Ausar and Amen Thompson, and Brandon Miller have also captured attention even before debuting in the league.
Additionally, although drafted in the previous year, Chet Holmgren qualifies as a rookie this season due to missing the entire 2022-23 season because of a foot injury. Despite this setback, the Thunder big man has had a sensational rookie season, competing with Wembanyama for top honors.
Despite these famous names, the current rookie class includes underrated ballers who are quietly making an impact for their teams.
3 underrated NBA rookies that will be impactful players in the future
1. Jordan Hawkins
This year's 14th overall pick, Jordan Hawkins, has proven to be a valuable asset off the bench for the New Orleans Pelicans.
Standing at 6 feet 5 inches, the 23-year-old has contributed effectively, averaging 9.6 points, 2.7 rebounds, and 1.7 assists. His shooting percentages of 40.1 from the field and 38.1 from beyond the arc reflect his proficiency.
As a pure sharpshooter, he can come in and make a significant impact from the perimeter. In 48 appearances, he has been a consistent presence, logging an average of 20.2 minutes per game.
In a game against the Dallas Mavericks on January 13, Hawkins scored a career-high 34 points. He accomplished this feat in 37 minutes on the court, shooting an impressive 11 for 19 from the field and connecting on 6 of 12 attempts from beyond the three-point range.
2. GG Jackson II
One of the positive aspects amid the Memphis Grizzlies' challenging season, marked by injuries, is the emergence of forward GG Jackson II.
Currently the youngest player in the league, he has proven to be a revelation after being selected in the second round with the 45th overall pick.
Although his early contributions were limited, the 6-foot-9 wing has recently showcased his potential by averaging 21.2 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 1.4 blocks in his last five games.
Jackson has become a significant source of energy for the Grizzlies, who are facing a challenging season but are anticipated to return to contention in the upcoming season.
3. Keyonte George
The Utah Jazz hold a promising future with their abundance of draft assets and a collection of young players, including the 16th overall pick, Keyonte George.
Standing at 6 feet 4 inches, George, a point guard, has displayed his potential in 50 games this season, averaging 11.7 points, 4.3 assists, and 2.8 rebounds while logging 24.6 minutes per game.
In a recent game against the Golden State Warriors on Tuesday, February 15, the 20-year-old made a splash by tying the NBA record for three-pointers made in a single game by a rookie, draining nine threes.
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