Six draft years, each with a franchise cornerstone and a few late-pick surprises; picking one means weighing star power against depth.
12020 NBA rookie classThe 2020 draft's 2020-21 rookies, led by Rookie of the Year LaMelo Ball (pictured) and including Anthony Edwards, Tyrese Haliburton, Tyrese Maxey and Desmond Bane.
22021 NBA rookie classThe 2021 draft's 2021-22 rookies, led by Rookie of the Year Scottie Barnes (pictured) and including Cade Cunningham, Evan Mobley, Franz Wagner and Alperen Şengün.
32022 NBA rookie classThe 2022 draft's 2022-23 rookies, led by Rookie of the Year Paolo Banchero and including Jabari Smith Jr. (pictured), Jalen Williams, Keegan Murray and Walker Kessler.
42023 NBA rookie classThe 2023 draft's 2023-24 rookies, led by unanimous Rookie of the Year Victor Wembanyama (pictured) and including Brandon Miller, Amen Thompson and Jaime Jaquez Jr.
52024 NBA rookie classThe 2024 draft's 2024-25 rookies, led by Rookie of the Year Stephon Castle and including No. 1 pick Zaccharie Risacher (pictured), Alex Sarr, Jaylen Wells and Zach Edey.
62025 NBA rookie classThe 2025 draft's 2025-26 rookies, led by Rookie of the Year Cooper Flagg (pictured) and including Kon Knueppel, VJ Edgecombe, Dylan Harper and Cedric Coward.
Photo credits
- 2020 NBA rookie class — Erik Drost, CC BY 2.0
- 2021 NBA rookie class — All-Pro Reels from District of Columbia, USA, CC BY-SA 2.0
- 2022 NBA rookie class — Chensiyuan, CC BY-SA 4.0
- 2023 NBA rookie class — Thomas S, CC BY-SA 2.0
- 2024 NBA rookie class — Yoann210, CC BY 4.0






















