Sophomores NBA to watch: Rising stars for the 2025-26 season

In the past NBA season, the 2024 draft was considered by many to be one of the weakest classes in recent memory. Although this largely held true throughout the season, there were interesting developments, with several prospects taking on roles and showing promising long-term talent. Some, like the Rookie of the Year and the number 4 pick, Stephon Castle, had a significant impact in their debut season. Others, including Matas Buzelis, the number 11 pick, showed signs of standing out during the season. In addition, several prospects are ready for larger roles, including Reed Sheppard, the number 3 pick. It’s important to remember that this is not an evaluation of who are the best or most valuable second-year players, but simply the players who arouse the most curiosity heading into training camp. Here’s a breakdown of the 10 most interesting second-year players heading into the 2025-26 season, what they achieved as rookies, and what to expect in their second year.

10. Nikola Topic, Oklahoma City Thunder

Rookie Season Achievement: The most we can say here is that Topic won a championship with the Thunder without stepping on the court. He missed the entire season due to an ACL tear, but Oklahoma City’s depth allowed them to keep Topic for a year. Technically, Topic will be a rookie next season, but he deserved to be included on this list for his potential to impact the current champions.Why it’s ranked here: Pure curiosity. It’s a valid question what role Topic will have at the start of the season, considering the overwhelming depth of the Oklahoma City baseline. But he showed flashes of his potential in the summer league, showcasing his playmaking skills (averaging 7.3 assists in three games) and his basketball IQ, and that skillset could help him get some substitute minutes behind Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. Whether he’s a long-term rotation piece or ultimately ends up being more of a trade asset for the Thunder will be seen in the next season or two, but he’s had positive flashes and will be worth monitoring as the defending champions continue to evolve.

9. Jared McCain, Philadelphia 76ers

Rookie season achievement: McCain offered a promising but small sample of 23 games before tearing his meniscus in his left knee in December, averaging 15.3 points on 46% shooting in 25.7 minutes. While it came in a losing context, as the Sixers dealt with injuries and a 24-58 regular season record, it was a solid start after Philadelphia selected him with the 16th overall pick. His scoring instincts and perimeter shooting translated to the NBA pretty quickly.

Why he’s ranked here: It will be worth watching how McCain builds from his debut after this injury, and how the 76ers piece together their minutes at the point guard with McCain, Tyrese Maxey and the No. 3 pick from 2025, VJ Edgecombe. It’s in Philadelphia’s interest to make sense of the fit between those three, with McCain potentially well-suited for a more combined role long-term. Whether the Sixers can win with that trio, which will concede a lot of defensive size on the perimeter, will be a key question to address, particularly with Joel Embiid and Paul George in their 30s and often struggling with availability. This is a big year for McCain to establish himself even more as a key piece of the 76ers’ future.

8. Jaylen Wells, Memphis Grizzlies

Rookie Season Achievement: Wells was arguably the best value pick in the 2024 draft, making the All-Rookie first team, averaging 10.4 points, and starting 74 games after Memphis got him at the number 39 spot. Primarily viewed as a spot-up shooter coming out of Washington State, Wells not only made 35% of his three-pointers, but also showed surprising defensive abilities, accepting difficult matchups and forging a viable role to start his career.Why is he ranked here: The Grizzlies’ decision to trade Desmond Bane to the Orlando Magic was softened to some extent by the emergence of Wells. He should be in line to stretch out as a scorer next season, with Bane leaving many touches as both a shooter and a secondary playmaker. A late-blooming former Division II player who turns 22 in August, Wells may have additional untapped potential, and presumably the Grizzlies will want to see if he can expand his contributions. While his limitations as a playmaker likely inhibit high-level results, based on what Wells has already shown, it is possible that he will continue to surprise if he can make a leap forward in both efficiency and volume.

7. Kel’el Ware, Miami Heat

Rookie Season Achievement: Ware was part of the second All-Rookie team after breaking out mid-season, accumulating some productive stretches and eventually moving into the starting lineup. He is a modern and talented center who can protect the paint, move his feet, and score three-pointers. He exceeded initial expectations with his willingness to contribute after the Heat drafted him at number 15.Why he’s ranked here: How quickly Ware can tap into his considerable potential is a major variable in Miami’s current retooling. Though his rookie season was a success, it was interesting to see Heat coach Erik Spoelstra publicly urge Ware to “improve his professionalism” earlier this month, comments that largely dovetailed with how Ware was perceived before entering the league. NBA executives and scouts had long questioned his motor and desire to play at a high level, a dynamic that made it somewhat surprising that the Heat, whose front office is focused on intangibles, viewed him as a fit. Clearly, Miami believes it can get the most out of Ware, and we’ll see if he can build on those early returns and further legitimize himself as a starting-caliber center.

6. Alex Sarr, Washington Wizards

Rookie Season Achievement: Second pick Sarr made the All-Rookie first team despite still being a project. He played the entire season at 19 years old, averaging 13 points and 6.5 rebounds, and showing his significant defensive potential (1.5 blocks per game). Washington is fully committed to playing with its young talents, and Sarr largely fulfilled his role as a long-term figure despite his still raw game.

Why it’s ranked here: Washington now employs a sixth of the 2024 first-round picks after the trades for AJ Johnson and Dillon Jones, but Sarr still possesses the most intriguing potential of the group. His ability to read the floor around him hasn’t yet caught up to his excellent physical skills, but his tools are likely to translate defensively as a mobile shot-blocker and paint protector, and with a year under his belt, expect improvements.

There were some predictable ups and downs for Sarr on the offensive side: he hit only 39.4% of field goals, but managed 2.4 assists per game as a rookie center. The Wizards have given him more than just a simple role of running towards the basket, and he has had the opportunity to stretch himself as a playmaker. His numbers are not great overall, and he is also a below-average rebounder for a player of his size, but there is a real possibility that Sarr will produce an overall improvement in the second year, particularly if the other young players in Washington can step up as a group. He will play with the French team in the EuroBasket in August, with a great opportunity to play since Victor Wembanyama and Rudy Gobert will not participate in the tournament.

5. Donovan Clingan, Portland Trail Blazers

Rookie Season Achievement: Clingan led the rookie class in blocks per game (1.6) and was part of the second All-Rookie team, averaging 6.5 points and 7.9 rebounds in just 19.8 minutes and shooting 53%. His per-minute production and defensive impact were significant, pointing to a bright future as a rim-protecting anchor in the Blazers’ backcourt.Why it’s ranked here: The Trail Blazers seemingly cleared the way for Clingan and recruit Yang Hansen to share time at center next season: Robert Williams III is still present, but could make sense as a potential trade candidate with his contract expiring. It will be interesting to see how those minutes are ultimately divided based on performance. Clingan is deserving of the most, but also needs to improve his physical condition to handle many minutes. The fact that he started the last 27 games of the season is probably a good indicator that he’s next. As a side note, if the Blazers will experiment with Clingan and Yang together in double-big lineups will be something to keep in mind. On paper, that fit is awkward, but considering Portland’s apparent long-term investment in both players, there’s at least some argument for figuring out what it looks like. Overall, Clingan deserves an expanded role and could establish himself as one of the best interior defenders in the NBA in no time.

4. Matas Buzelis, Chicago Bulls

Rookie Season Achievement: Buzelis broke out mid-season for the Bulls and looked like a solid value pick at the number 11 spot, starting the final 31 games of the season and averaging 31 points on 47% shooting in those games. That stretch of play earned him a spot on the All-Rookie second team and has positioned him as a key piece for Chicago’s future.Why he’s ranked here: Buzelis was once considered a contender for the first pick in the 2024 draft class, pointing to his significant potential as a tall, skilled perimeter scorer. As he continues to add strength and refine his shot, Buzelis has a long runway from both a development and role perspective. With the Bulls perpetually in play-in limbo, their best path forward likely involves a potential star turn from Buzelis. While that may not happen in a summer, the Bulls’ commitment to playing at a fast pace should favor Buzelis. He should see the ball in his hands more operating in space and have the opportunity to expand his shot creation skills for both himself and his teammates. Chicago remains at a contractual standstill with Josh Giddey, but the presumed return of his playmaking to the lineup should further help Buzelis feel comfortable. At just 20 years old, the kind of second-year leap he can achieve is arguably the most important storyline for the Bulls heading into the season.

3. Zaccharie Risacher, Atlanta Hawks

Rookie Season Achievement: Risacher validated Atlanta’s conviction in selecting him first in a draft class that lacked a true consensus number 1 among NBA decision-makers. While he didn’t win Rookie of the Year, he was one of the few rookies to make significant contributions on a playoff-caliber team, hitting 45.8% from the field and 35% from 3 and starting 73 of 75 games. He added immediate value upon entering the league at 19 years old, the question is how much he will add to his game as his career develops.Why it’s ranked here: The Hawks strengthened their position this offseason, adding Kristaps Porzingis and Nickeil Alexander-Walker; they also secured a potentially high-value 2026 draft pick from New Orleans by moving out of the No. 13 spot. With Trae Young and Dyson Daniels set to receive contract extensions, there’s a win-now push, as well as an overall evaluation process for Atlanta’s front office going forward. Part of the reason Risacher is so valuable is that his shooting, perimeter defense, and positional size at the wing fit seamlessly into almost any lineup framework. With that in mind, Risacher’s continued evolution as a scorer should be paramount for the Hawks. Atlanta has enough playmaking on the roster, and Risacher should be solid enough off the ball that they don’t need to rush his growth as a scorer with the ball, but directing some playmaking reps towards him is probably best for his long-term interests. It’s worth finding out how much more comfortable he can get playing off the dribble, getting to his pull-up, and making plays for his teammates. A certain degree of development in those areas can be the difference between being an excellent role player or capitalizing on high-end results for his growth. How much Atlanta will boost Risacher in that sense will be worth observing at the beginning of next season: he may not end up being a typical number 1 level franchise player without significant growth, but he may well exceed what were relatively modest expectations for the standards of the top pick. He is scheduled to play with the French national team in the EuroBasket in August, which could offer a window into his off-season growth.

2. Stephon Castle, San Antonio Spurs

Rookie Season Achievement: A solid debut season earned Castle Rookie of the Year honors, averaging 14.7 points and 4.1 assists in 26.7 minutes and making 47 starts for the Spurs. As expected, he struggled with efficiency (42.8% FG and 28.5% from 3), but he was solid defensively and played better after the All-Star break, benefiting from the freedom given to him by San Antonio.Why it’s ranked here: As the Spurs continue their journey to build a contender around Victor Wembanyama, who appears poised to return from a blood clot, the most important factor, aside from his health, is how well San Antonio’s guards can fit around him. Signing De’Aaron Fox naturally reduced some of Castle’s ball-handling duties. The unexpected lottery jump that gave the Spurs the No. 2 pick in Dylan Harper gives them a third wheel in the backcourt. It’s an exciting development for the roster, but it will also require all three players to make adjustments. Castle is far from reaching his potential, but he’s also the most natural candidate of the three to take on a more versatile two-way role, thanks to his size, instincts on the defensive end, and unselfish tendencies on offense. He’s still going to have to make a lot more shots from long range to really excel off the ball, particularly in the context of how San Antonio’s lineups will presumably look. The Spurs will have to stagger their guards creatively, not just to win games, but to give Harper and Castle the best opportunities to feel comfortable. Considering the change of context, and the additional impetus to reach the playoffs as the Spurs advance with Wembanyama, how malleable Castle can be and in what way he can refine his game can be very important for how things develop in San Antonio, and how central he becomes in this next iteration of the team.

1. Reed Sheppard, Houston Rockets

Rookie season achievement: After considerable hype surrounding Sheppard a year ago, there wasn’t much to say about his rookie season, as he appeared in only 51 games and averaged 12 minutes on a talented Rockets team. He scored 49 points in a G League game, and Houston remains excited about him as he takes on more minutes on a team with high aspirations.

Why it’s ranked here: A Houston subplot to shedding Jalen Green in the Kevin Durant trade is that the Rockets cleared significant minutes at the point guard for Sheppard, who is currently slated for a real role behind Fred VanVleet and Amen Thompson. The Rockets’ ability to compete in the truest sense may depend more on the growth of their young players than what Durant gives them: Sheppard, Thompson, and Jabari Smith Jr. are going to play important roles.

While not especially notable in summer league, Sheppard is worthy of optimism: he should be stepping into an ideal role as a secondary handler, playmaker, and spacer who can operate and make life easier for Houston’s stars. His shot will be critical alongside Thompson and Alperen Sengun, but he’ll also need to remain effective defensively, as the Rockets will concede a good amount of perimeter size when VanVleet and Sheppard share the court. Sheppard’s instincts for winning possessions help him on that end, but he’s also not exactly a deterrent for opposing shooters. Sheppard has the opportunity to be a major game-changer in Houston’s title pursuit; in theory, he’s entering the perfect situation. The question is whether next season is the right time and how the Rockets might have to adjust their depth accordingly. The simple fact is that we haven’t seen it yet, and what it means for Houston’s place in the arc of this season earns him the top spot on this list.