Late-Season Surge! Can 2024’s Top Pick, Rashaé, Still Win Rookie of the Year?

In what was expected to be a relatively "down" draft class, 2024's number one overall pick, Rashaé, has quietly been proving that there’s more than meets the eye. While the spotlight has largely been on players like Victor Wembanyama and Scoot Henderson, Rashaé’s development has been on a steady rise, and he’s showing signs that he could still challenge for the coveted Rookie of the Year award. After a somewhat slow start to his NBA career, the 19-year-old wing has found his groove and, especially in recent months, has started to show the type of performance that could turn the tide in his favor.

One of the defining moments of his season came in a game against the Milwaukee Bucks, where Rashaé put up one of the best performances of his young career. Over 34 minutes, the 6'9" wing shot an impressive 12-21 from the field, 5-11 from three-point range, and 7-9 from the free-throw line, finishing the game with 36 points and 6 rebounds. While 36 points might be an everyday occurrence for some of the NBA's elite, it was a career-high for Rashaé, a clear sign of how much he has improved since entering the league. That performance also marked his third game of 30 or more points this season—no small feat for any rookie, and certainly noteworthy given the expectations around this particular draft class.

Despite the impressive 36-point showing, Rashaé’s name still doesn’t generate the kind of buzz you’d expect from a number one overall pick. Perhaps it’s the fact that the 2024 draft is considered a relatively "thin" year talent-wise, or maybe it’s because the Atlanta Hawks, his current team, already have a dynamic offensive system led by Trae Young. But regardless of the reasons behind his relative lack of attention, Rashaé is showing that he belongs in the conversation, and the argument for him being a legitimate contender for Rookie of the Year is growing stronger by the day.

Through 67 games this season, Rashaé has made 65 starts, averaging 24.8 minutes per game. His numbers—12.4 points, 3.7 rebounds, and 1.2 assists—aren't necessarily jaw-dropping, but they don't tell the full story. His shooting splits of 45.2% from the field, 35.0% from beyond the arc, and 71.7% from the free-throw line are solid, especially for a rookie. His true shooting percentage of 55.3% is above average, which shows that Rashaé is playing efficient basketball. These aren't the type of statistics that make headlines, but they suggest a young player who is quietly becoming a valuable contributor to his team.

What’s even more exciting is how Rashaé's numbers have steadily improved as the season has gone on. Since March, he has appeared in 14 games and has taken his performance to another level. In those 14 contests, he’s averaged 16.3 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 1.0 assists per game, while shooting an efficient 53.3% from the field, 39.3% from three, and 73.9% from the free-throw line. His true shooting percentage has spiked to an impressive 64.4%, which is a significant jump from his early-season numbers.

Rashaé’s breakout has come at the perfect time. While his overall numbers still don’t match up to some of the other rookies around the league, his improvement in recent weeks has put him on the map as a potential candidate for Rookie of the Year. With three 30+ point games already this season, and a recent surge in March, Rashaé could make a strong push for the award if his momentum continues into April. After all, the Rookie of the Year race isn’t always about who starts the strongest—it’s about who finishes the season on the highest note.

When you break down Rashaé’s profile, it’s easy to see why he could be a player with immense potential. Standing at 6’9” with a wingspan of 6’10”, he has the physical tools of a prototypical wing player in the modern NBA. Scouting reports on Rashaé coming into the draft noted his strong three-point shooting ability, his off-ball movement, his transition game, and his well-rounded defense. However, it was also pointed out that his ball-handling and playmaking were not yet on the level of some of his peers, and his decision-making and offensive awareness still needed refinement.

As the season has progressed, Rashaé has done exactly what the scouting reports suggested he would: he’s embraced his role as a catch-and-shoot player, focusing on knocking down threes and cutting to the basket when the opportunity arises. In March, he was able to connect on 2.4 three-pointers per game on nearly 40% shooting, and his ability to finish around the rim has improved as well. His 70% shooting percentage within five feet of the basket shows that he’s getting more comfortable with his finishes in the paint, an area of his game that had previously been a bit of a weakness.

The Atlanta Hawks have done a good job of letting Rashaé grow into his role without forcing too much responsibility on him. With Trae Young orchestrating the offense, Rashaé doesn’t have to handle the ball as much, which allows him to focus on his strengths: shooting the three, cutting to the basket, and playing solid defense. The trade of De’Andre Hunter has also given Rashaé more minutes and a more prominent role in the rotation, and he’s taken full advantage of it.

Looking at the Rookie of the Year race, it’s clear that Rashaé faces stiff competition, especially from San Antonio’s versatile guard, Keldon Johnson. While Rashaé has shown flashes of brilliance, Johnson has been more consistent in his rookie season, posting impressive numbers across the board, including 14.2 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 3.7 assists per game. He has been particularly strong in March, where he’s upped his scoring to 19.5 points per game while improving his shooting efficiency. Johnson’s high usage rate and volume scoring have made him a fan favorite for the award.

But there’s one area where Rashaé has an edge over Johnson—efficiency. While Johnson has put up great scoring numbers, his efficiency hasn’t been up to par, with shooting splits of 42.5% from the field and 28.4% from three-point range. In contrast, Rashaé’s shooting percentages have steadily improved, and his efficiency has been remarkable during his late-season surge. If the two players continue on their current trajectories, it’s not out of the question for Rashaé to close the gap, especially if he can keep his hot streak alive through the final month of the season.

Of course, Rashaé’s case for Rookie of the Year will always be a bit tougher given the team he plays for. The Atlanta Hawks are a playoff-caliber team, which means that Rashaé’s minutes aren’t as inflated as those of rookies on rebuilding teams. Additionally, the Hawks are often focused on winning now, which means that Rashaé’s contributions aren’t always the focal point of their game plans. In contrast, players like Johnson and even Wembanyama have been able to establish themselves as focal points for their respective teams, which gives them more opportunities to rack up big numbers.

Ultimately, the Rookie of the Year award will likely come down to the last few weeks of the season, and Rashaé’s late-season surge could play a pivotal role in his candidacy. He’s proving that he has the potential to be an impactful player in this league, and while he may not win the award this season, his future in the NBA is incredibly bright. If he continues to develop at this rate, the expectations surrounding him will only grow.

Despite being part of a “weak” draft class, Rashaé is showing that he has the tools to become a star. He’s not the flashiest player, but he’s getting the job done, and that’s exactly what teams want from their top picks. As the season winds down, Rashaé will have every opportunity to further solidify his place as one of the top young talents in the league, and if he continues this late-season surge, he may just find himself as a contender for Rookie of the Year. The best is yet to come.