A Look Back at the Top NBA Rookies From 2018 and 2019 Seasons

I still remember watching the 2018 NBA draft like it was yesterday, sitting in my living room with my laptop open to three different analytics dashboards and a cold beer in hand. The energy surrounding that class felt different somehow - there was this palpable sense that we were about to witness something special. Fast forward to today, and my instincts have proven correct. The 2018 and 2019 rookie classes have fundamentally reshaped the NBA landscape in ways few could have predicted.

When I think about what makes these classes so remarkable, I keep coming back to that incredible Letran versus JRU game from the Philippines that I caught late one night. Coach Allen Ricardo's words to his Knights after their upset loss to the "young and feisty" JRU Heavy Bombers resonated deeply with me. He reportedly told his team, "Remember this feeling," and honestly, that's exactly the mentality I've seen in the most successful rookies from these two draft classes. They play with this collective memory of hunger, of having something to prove, much like those young Heavy Bombers who refused to back down against established opponents.

Luka Dončić's immediate impact in 2018 still blows my mind when I really stop to think about it. The kid was putting up 21.2 points, 7.8 rebounds, and 6.0 assists per game as a teenager in the world's best basketball league. I've been covering the NBA for fifteen years, and I can count on one hand the number of rookies who've demonstrated that level of court vision and control. What fascinates me most about Luka isn't just the stats - it's how he makes everyone around him better while simultaneously carrying the offensive load. He plays with this beautiful, almost frustrating patience that reminds me of seasoned veterans ten years his senior.

Then there's Trae Young, who I'll admit I was completely wrong about initially. I thought his slight frame and defensive limitations would prevent him from becoming a true franchise player. Boy, was I mistaken. His transformation from a volume shooter to a legitimate floor general has been one of the most compelling developments I've witnessed in recent years. The way he manipulates defenses with his shooting range opens up everything for Atlanta's offense. I remember texting my colleague during his 49-point explosion against Chicago that we were watching the birth of a new kind of offensive weapon.

The 2019 class brought us Zion Williamson, who might be the most physically dominant rookie I've ever seen when healthy. His combination of power and agility at 284 pounds defies conventional basketball wisdom. In his first 19 games, he averaged 23.6 points on 58.9% shooting - numbers that would be impressive for a veteran All-Star, let alone a rookie coming off knee surgery. Ja Morant's audacious athleticism and fearlessness remind me of those young JRU players who took down Letran - that refusal to be intimidated by established stars. And let's not forget about Jordan Poole, who struggled mightily early on but has developed into one of the league's most dangerous scorers. His journey exemplifies the importance of patience in player development, something I wish more franchises would understand.

What strikes me about these two classes collectively is how they've accelerated the NBA's stylistic evolution. We're seeing more primary creators who can shoot from anywhere, make advanced reads, and handle significant usage rates from day one. The game has become more perimeter-oriented and positionless, and these rookies arrived perfectly equipped for this new reality. They play with a confidence and skill level that would have been unprecedented even a decade ago.

The international influence in these classes deserves special mention too. Beyond Luka, players like RJ Barrett (Canada), Deandre Ayton (Bahamas), and Rui Hachimura (Japan) have brought diverse backgrounds and playing styles that have enriched the league's fabric. Having traveled to watch international prospects myself, I can attest to how globalization has raised the overall level of incoming talent. The game has become truly global, and these draft classes reflect that beautiful reality.

Looking back, what stands out most isn't just the individual brilliance but how these players have elevated their franchises. The Mavericks built around Luka, the Grizzlies around Ja, the Pelicans around Zion - these aren't just random draft picks who happened to work out. They're foundational pieces around whom entire organizational philosophies have been constructed. The success rate of top picks in these two classes is remarkably high compared to historical averages, which speaks to both improved scouting and the players' readiness to contribute immediately.

As I reflect on these incredible young talents, I can't help but feel optimistic about the NBA's future. The league is in good hands with this new generation of stars who combine individual brilliance with team-oriented play. They've raised the bar for what we should expect from incoming players and have given us some of the most exciting basketball I've witnessed in my career. The hunger and feistiness Coach Ricardo wanted his Letran players to remember? These NBA rookies never forgot it, and the entire league is better for it.