NBA Live 19 Ratings: Best Rookies

The rookie class of 2018 has a number of names seemingly capable of making an impact in their first season. Below, we’ve listed NBA Live 19’s top rookies to give you some insight into the best of them.

Deandre Ayton (84)

Age: 20

Position: C

Height: 7’0”

Team: Phoenix Suns

Traits: Post Anchor

Best Stats: 95 Vertical, 95 Strength, 94 Stamina, 94 Injury

The number one pick in the 2018 draft, Ayton is deservedly the top rated rookie on NBA Live 19. At just 20 years of age he is already an imposing force, and will look to use his incredible physical assets - as detailed by his high vertical, strength and stamina ratings - to make an immediate impact at the top level.

Marvin Bagley III (82)

Age: 19

Position: PF

Height: 6’11”

Team: Sacramento Kings

Traits: Stretch Big

Best Stats: 92 Injury, 86 Strength, 86 Mid-Range Shot

Bagley III rose to prominence during a dominant 2017/18 season at Duke, using his rangy frame and impressive outside shooting to put up big numbers throughout the year. Standing at 6’11”, he connected on a tick under 40% of his long range attempts and 61.4% of his field goals to average 21.0 points as well as 11.1 boards a game, and was subsequently taken at pick 2 by the Kings.

Luka Doncic (81)

Age: 19

Position: SG

Height: 6’7”

Team: Dallas Mavericks

Traits: Wing Shooter

Best Stats: 90 Injury, 88 Stamina, 85 Driving Layup

Rated by many as the best player in the 2018 draft, Doncic slipped to pick three, a pick which was traded by Atlanta to the Mavericks in what looks like a huge win for Dallas. Fresh off an MVP season in the EuroLeague, Doncic is a ready-made NBA point guard. Listed as an SG on NBA Live 19 likely as a result of his size, the Slovenian is as pure a ball-handler as you’ll find, and will play a huge role for the Mavs this season.

Jaren Jackson Jr (81)

Age: 19

Position: PF

Height: 6’11”

Team: Memphis Grizzlies

Traits: Post Anchor

Best Stats: 93 Injury, 85 Stamina, 85 Shot Block

Jackson has all the tools to become an impactful modern day NBA big. Equipped with numerous physical assets, Jackson is a terrific shot blocker, while at the offensive end he shows a lot of potential as an outside shooter. Combined with his raw inside game, the number four pick from the 2018 draft has what it takes to make it in the NBA.

Trae Young (81)

Age 20

Position: PG

Height: 6’2”

Team: Atlanta Hawks

Traits: Backcourt Shooter

Best Stats: 96 Stamina, 91 Injury, 86 Speed, 86 Free Throw

One of the most intriguing players from the 2018 draft, Young divided the opinions of experts throughout his 2018 college season. Finishing with impressive averages of 27.4 points and 8.7 assists, he combined numerous extraordinary statistical games with a number of highly forgettable ones. Equally capable of nailing shots from all over the floor and dishing out elite passes as he is of going 1-for-15 with 10 turnovers, Young promises to put in an entertaining rookie season.

Mohamed Bamba (81)

Age: 20

Position: C

Height: 7’0”

Team: Orlando Magic

Traits: Rim Protector

Best Stats: 92 Stamina, 89 Strength, 89 Dunk, 89 Injury

Mo Bamba will step into the league boasting the NBA’s longest wingspan, his 7’10” outstretched arms overtake those of 2017/18 Defensive Player of the Year Rudy Gobert. Bamba boasts a number of similar assets to the Stifle Tower, most notably his defensive prowess, and while his offensive game is somewhat limited at this point, he does shape up as a versatile big with the potential to become a dangerous outside shooter.

Wendell Carter Jr (81)

Age: 19

Position: PF

Height: 6’10”

Team: Chicago Bulls

Traits: Post Anchor

Best Stats: 92 Stamina, 88 Injury, 84 Inside Shot

Carter Jr, the seventh pick in the 2018 NBA draft, doesn’t shape up as the big with the most upside of this talented class. The likes of Ayton, Bamba and Jackson Jr all seem to have more potential to develop into all-star level players. Having said that, Carter’s ability to do so many things well means that those underestimating him are doing so at their own peril, and it wouldn’t be surprising to see the well-rounded young big put in an impressive rookie season.

Michael Porter Jr (80)

Age: 20

Position: SF

Height: 6’11”

Team: Denver Nuggets

Traits: Wing Shooter

Best Stats: 90 Vertical, 89 Injury, 85 Speed

Taken at pick 14 in the NBA draft, Porter Jr was the last picked of all the top ten rated rookies on NBA Live 19, but there’s a reason for it. Plagued by serious back injuries throughout his college career, Porter Jr will likely sit out much of his rookie season. When he is able to get on the floor though, look out. The 6’11” Porter was arguably the most talented offensive player in the 2018 draft, and will prove a steal if he can overcome his injury problems.

Collin Sexton (79)

Age: 19

Position: PG

Height: 6’2”

Team: Cleveland Cavaliers

Traits: Backcourt Shooter

Best Stats: 92 Stamina, 89 Speed, 86 Injury

The number 8 pick at the 2018 draft, Sexton will play a huge role in 2018/19 on a Cleveland offense with a LeBron-sized hole in it. At Alabama, Sexton struggled with understanding when was an appropriate time to take a shot, and will likely endure a steep learning curve in the NBA. He does, however, have a whole lot of upside, and with the amount of responsibility which will be heaped on him early in his career, has the potential to improve very rapidly.

Mikal Bridges (79)

Age: 22

Position: SF

Height: 6’7”

Team: Phoenix Suns

Traits: Floor General

Best Stats: 94 Stamina, 85 Speed, 85 Free Throw

Bridges rocketed into top ten calculations with a terrific sophomore season for the Villanova Wildcats. One of the most efficient offensive players in the NCAA, he averaged 17.7 points (while shooting 44% from long range) and 5.3 rebounds, and shapes up as a capable NBA player.

Best of the rest