Jarett Meisner
Staff Writer
The 2024 NBA draft class has impressed the coaches, analysts, and managed to shock the fans the most. The coverage by the media surrounding the incoming class of NBA talent was unjustly negative, they were considered “weak” players. Over the 82-game regular season there were several stand out rookie seasons that shut down this narrative completely.
Bill Simmons, one of the premier basketball podcasters, fell into the trap of defaming the players before they debuted in the NBA. On his podcast from May 14, 2024, Simmons proclaimed “This is by all accounts one of the worst three drafts over the last twenty-five years.”
The “weak” label that was pinned on this past draft class was premature. Rookie seasons from Zaccharie Risacher, Zach Edey, and Jaylen Wells stood out from the rest. What separated these players from the others in their class was the impacts they had on winning franchises.
Risacher had doubts despite being the first selection in the draft. He was drafted for his fit within the organization, not for his potential and thus was given the “weak” label. Risacher finished the year averaging 14 points a game and managed to contribute to a Hawks team with an already superstar talent. His main asset is his versatility, playing without the ball in his hands on offense and his size allows him to guard anyone on the court. He really earned his stripes at the end of the season with a 38-point performance on the road. Risacher was voted as one of the selections for first team All-Rookie, meaning he was one of the five best players from the 2024 class.
Zach Edey was as controversial a name as there was for 2024 recruits. He stands 7 feet 4, an obvious advantage on the basketball court. Despite his illustrious college basketball career Edey was projected to go all over in the draft. He was selected by Memphis at ninth overall and became a full-time starter quickly. His stats were nine points, eight rebounds a game, and 85 total blocks, making him one of the best rim protectors in the rookie class.
Wells differs from Risacher and Edey, as he was a second-round draft selection, taken at 39th overall. It was unclear the role he would play on the already very talented Memphis roster, yet one month into the regular season was Vegas’ favorite for Rookie of the Year. His impact was seen most on the defensive end, by the NBA’s stats page Wells ranked first in his class for defensive rating, even getting nominations as an All-NBA defender. Wells’s best performance of the season came against Stephen Curry where the star was held to 0-7 shooting against the rookie defender.
Looking back at the draft it is apparent many had the wrong impression of what the players could do. Max Chapin, a senior at Millersville University was among the crowd who shared these doubts. Chapin said this regarding Edey, “All I’d heard about him was how good he was in college, but how his feet looked like they were in sand on defense. People talked about him as if he wouldn’t be drafted, it was awesome to see him translate as one of the best rookies.”
Riscacher, Edey, and Wells are just some recent examples of players who shook off the “weak” label, proving they belong in the NBA for years to come. The 2024 draft class will remain as a reminder to media members, scouts, and fans why it is important to not make judgements on players before they’re able to showcase their talents.
