The wait is almost over for basketball-loving gamers, with NBA 2K22 set to release on Friday, Sept. 10.
With the release nearly upon us, NBA 2K has been revealing player ratings all over social media, causing an annual buzz and debate about players that are overrated, underrated, or rated just right.
Among the most recent reveals are the top-five rated rookies in the 2021 NBA Draft class. This year's rookie class has extremely high expectations, with a handful of players anticipated to be franchise cornerstones and All-Stars sooner rather than later.
But what does that mean for their 2K rating? It's always challenging to guess what players might be rated without playing in a real NBA game yet, so rookie ratings fluctuate unlike anything else from year to year.
For this year's very talented draft class, there was one player that cracked the 80 overall threshold, with four other players in the top-five landing over the 75 overall landmark.
Take a look and see who the five-best rookies are heading into NBA 2K22.
2K22 Rookie #2KRatings 👀
— NBA 2K (@NBA2K) August 20, 2021
Where will these guys be at the end of the year? pic.twitter.com/w4UiWGfGwB
No. 1 overall pick Cade Cunningham guessed his rating precisely in his sitdown with NBA 2K's Ronnie 2K, hoping to get up to an 88 overall by the end of his rookie season.
Rating reveal with @CadeCunningham_ the 1st draft pick for @DetroitPistons
— Ronnie 2K 2K22 (@Ronnie2K) August 20, 2021
Should he be ⬆️ or ⬇️? pic.twitter.com/Ywc46AP9AK
No. 2 overall pick Jalen Green was also able to pinpoint his rating, telling Ronnie 2K he expected to be a "79-80" while hoping to get his rating to an 85 by the end of the year. His rating actually already increased two points following a strong showing at the Las Vegas Summer League.
After summer league @JalenGreen is now a 79!! We have some incredible ratings for this years draft picks.
— Ronnie 2K 2K22 (@Ronnie2K) August 20, 2021
You know the drill. ⬆️ or ⬇️? pic.twitter.com/CMogbf6sSA
The ratings nearly worked in order of how the rookies were selected in the draft, with No. 3 overall pick Evan Mobley being the third-highest rated rookie at 78 overall, but No. 5 overall pick Jalen Suggs leaped over No. 4 overall pick Scottie Barnes, as the two are rated 77 and 76, respectively.
The only other rookie whose rating has been revealed outside of the top five is No. 6 overall pick Josh Giddey, who comes in at a strong 75 overall after winning Rookie of the Year in the NBL in Australia last season.
These ratings are higher than usual for rookies, but with the hype surrounding this draft class, it shouldn't come as a surprise. It will be interesting to see how many of these young stars land above the 80 overall mark by the season's end.
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