SLAM’s Official 2023 NBA Rookies Most Likely To List: ROTY Predictions and MORE

The NBA is back.

To kick off the start of the 2023-24 NBA regular season, we looked into the future and projected what this year’s rookie class (fyi: that includes SLAM 247 co-cover star Chet Holmgren, who was out last season) will accomplish. We won’t say we told you so, but….

Stay tuned. Here’s our official Rookies Most Likely To list, which appears in SLAM 247. Get your copy and cover tees here.


Towering over the competition at 7-4, Wemby is our pick for ROTY. The French phenom and SLAM 247 cover star has already established himself as one of the most exciting young players to watch in the L. Welcome to the Victor Wembanyama Experience.

Oh and by the way, shop here for copies of the mag and cover tees.


After being drafted in the second round this year and helping the Cavaliers win the Summer League championship, Emoni Bates is reminding everyone that he’s not to be slept on. 

Utilizing his height and major hops, Chet Holmgren has proved to be someone you can count on to finish a play. His grit and determination both on and off the court make him an obvious contender for our rookie rebounder.

Chet was one of the OKC cool guys to cover SLAM 247. Get your copy + cover tees here.

Playmaker Anthony Black is our top contender for averaging 10 APGs this season. With his quick passes and efficient movement, we know Black’s got his team’s back. 

It’s been 14 years since the NBA’s last rookie, Brandon Jennings, dropped 50 points in a game. If there’s anyone who can bring it back, we know it’s Scoot Henderson. Just wait on it.

One thing about Amen is that he knows how to match the energy on the court. We know he’ll be back to his bucket-getting ways once he returns from injury.

Let’s set the scene. It’s Ocober 17, 2023. The NBA regular season hasn’t even started yet, but Whitmore is playing like it’s a Game 7. He sprints down the court, leaps over Spurs’ Doug McDermott, and dunks on him. Was it an offensive foul? Perhaps. But if this is what Whitmore has in store during the preseason, we can only imagine what else he has in his bag this year.

Brandon Miller knows a thing or two about kicks.

Mr. IG photo dump himself, Amari Bailey has already been featured on LeagueFits. Expect quite a few more appearances on our feed this season…

Ever since the Gradey arrived at the 2023 NBA draft in his Wizard of Oz tribute-suit, it was clear that the Kansas-product has personality. Didn’t he just appear in the Drake’s son, Adonis’ music video? We need to hear all about it on a podcast. Speaking of which, we’ll have a new podcast show coming to you soon…


Photos via Getty Images.