Rookie Fights: Everyone eagerly awaits the regular-season matchups between the league’s top players, such as Giannis Antetokounmpo vs. Nikola Jokic and Luka Doncic vs. Stephen Curry. The initial encounters between the league’s newest and brightest players can be met with the same kind of anticipation.
With these rookies, the first-ever individual contests that might potentially shape the NBA for the next ten years will be on display. Their positions on the Kia Rookie Ladder week to week and eventually their chances of winning Kia Rookie of the Year will depend on how they perform against one another.
Top 5 Rookie Fights To Watch In 2023-24 Season
Here are five Rookie Fights To Watch In 2023-24 Season
1. Victor Wembanyama vs. Scoot Henderson
You need to travel back to October 2022 for the most enticing environment in which to witness the inaugural, this-time-it-counts NBA matchup. The G League Ignite club from Henderson, Nevada, squared up against the Metropolitans 92 team from Wembanyama at that time. The two 18-year-olds put on a show for the ESPN viewers and reportedly more than 120 NBA scouts there.
With 28 points in 28 minutes, five rebounds, nine assists, and two steals, Henderson sealed the victory. In the 37 minutes that he was on the court, Wembanyama scored 37 points. In addition, he grabbed four rebounds, five blocks, and a steal. At the time, several people contended that Henderson may outperform his rival as the season went on. But according to Wemby, “If I had never been born, I believe he would have earned the top spot.” He was right, too.
You might also be interested in reading this: Most expensive shoe deals signed by NBA rookies in history
2. Victor Wembanyama vs. Brandon Miller
The first choice in the Draught vs. the second pick is about as straightforward as it gets. Miller was selected in the second round of the Draught, well after the 7-foot-3 Frenchman, but the Hornets chose to trade him ahead of Henderson, who went to Portland with the third overall pick.
Although Miller’s Summer League shooting was off, his coach there, Charlotte assistant Marlon Garnett, thought that the immediate expectations caused unfair criticism. Even Wembanyama received criticism after a rough first game, which was the highlight of Summer League opening night’s Spurs-Hornets matchup, but he silenced detractors with his second and final summer effort.
3. Amen Thompson vs. Ausar Thompson
Take a scorecard with you. When the identical brothers compete with their different teams, there may be some uncertainty. From their beginnings in San Leandro, California, through Pine Crest High School in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and last season’s Overtime Elite semiprofessional league in Atlanta, these lads have been almost connected at the hip their whole lives.
Amen went to the Rockets at pick number four, and Ausar went to the Pistons right after him. As a result of becoming the first brothers selected in the top five picks, they will now be separated by significant distances for the first time. Ausar said before the Draught that the longest time they had ever been apart was two days. Amen and Ausar are both 6’7″, but Amen is more of a point guard while Ausar is a typical wing who won his league’s MVP award the previous year. When fans are on the same floor, they can enjoy comparing, but for the two close brothers, it has always been about sharing.
4. Victor Wembanyama vs. Bilal Coulibaly
Coulibaly is the third rookie in the Class of 2023 whom Wembanyama would naturally go up against. He was selected six picks behind his fellow Frenchman and Metropolitans 92 colleague, a 6-foot-6 wing with a 7-foot-2 wingspan.
However, Coulibaly had some impressive performances in Las Vegas: 19 points with four rebounds, three assists, and four blocks against OKC’s entry, and 10 points with six boards, four assists, three blocks, and two steals against the Spurs. Coulibaly didn’t garner nearly as much attention as his friend did. Although he does not yet have the ability to shoot, the Wizards were impressed with his summer training and commitment to guard every position. Wembanyama, though, probably not.
5. Brandon Miller vs. Scoot Henderson
Just one position below any illusions of being the first player chosen, this is a natural rivalry. Both Hornets and Blazers supporters had heard enough about the two to be curious and prepared to pass quick judgment. Henderson may have shared LaMelo Ball’s position as Charlotte’s standout backcourt player and offensive catalyst had he chosen to enter the draught at No. 2.
Henderson effectively started the Damian Lillard trade saga that dominated many summer headlines by moving to Portland. Miller outperformed his previous uneven foul-a-palooza effort by scoring 26 points versus Portland in a game in Vegas that Henderson missed due to a shoulder ailment that halted his summer participation.
Bonus matchup: Wembanyama vs. Chet Holmgren
Due to a Lisfranc fracture in his right foot, Holmgren, the No. 2 overall choice in the 2022 Draught, missed the whole 2022–23 season. That meant he couldn’t play in his rookie season, but he was able to recover with OKC and is now preparing for his debut campaign this fall.
This match versus Wembanyama is even more intriguing because it is an In-Season Tournament matchup. Each of these rookies, who are from different drafting classes, will have finished around a month’s worth of NBA on-court practice by the time this game starts. This might be a matchup that matters if both finish as front-runners for the Kia Rookie of the Year award.
These are the top 5 Rookie fights to watch in 2023-24 season. Let us know your thoughts in the comment section below.
