Hawks' Zaccharie Risacher headlines finalists for Rookie of the Year
Atlanta Hawks forward Zaccharie Risacher, San Antonio Spurs guard Stephon Castle and Memphis Grizzlies forward Jaylen Wells were named the finalists for the 2024-25 NBA Rookie of the Year award.
Risacher averaged 12.6 points, 3.6 rebounds and 1.2 assists on 35.5% shooting from 3-point range in 75 games. The two-time Eastern Conference Rookie of the Month finished second in total scoring (942) and was the only first-year player with four 30-point games this season.
Castle led all first-year players in scoring, averaging 14.7 points, 4.1 assists and 3.7 rebounds on 42.8% shooting from the field in 81 games. The Rising Stars Game MVP was the only rookie with at least 1,000 points and is one of three in franchise history to also have 250 assists.
Wells posted averages of 10.4 points, 3.4 rebounds and 1.7 assists on 35.2% shooting from 3-point range in 79 appearances. He was the Western Conference Rookie of the Month in October and November and was the only second-round pick to average at least 10 points per game.
Risacher, Castle and Wells were selected as finalists for Rookie of the Year based on the voting results from a global panel of 100 sportswriters and broadcasters. The ballots, which were announced Sunday on TNT, were due from voters on Tuesday at 6 p.m. EDT.
Castle is the betting favorite to win the award, with Risacher behind him and Wells in third. The winner will be announced on TNT during its coverage of the playoffs.
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