Basketball is a sport that requires a combination of skills, athleticism, and experience to succeed at the highest level. The NBA is the pinnacle of basketball, where the best players from around the world compete against each other. Every year, new talents emerge in the league, but what about the oldest rookies?
In the 2022-2023 NBA season, we’ll see some of the oldest rookies the league has ever seen. These players have defied age and expectations to make it to the big leagues, and we can’t wait to see what they bring to the court. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at the 8 oldest rookie NBA players in the upcoming season and what we can expect from them.
8. MarJon Beauchamp (October 12, 2000 – present)
Age as of March 2023: 25 years, 7 months, 16 days
Team: Milwaukee Bucks
Position: Small forward
Height: 6 ft. 7 in.
photo source: Hoops Habit
MarJon Beauchamp is a talented basketball player who was born on October 12, 2000, in Seattle, Washington, USA. He is a small forward who is known for his excellent athleticism, scoring ability, and all-around skills on the basketball court. He is widely regarded as a top prospect for the NBA.
During his high school years, Beauchamp attended Rainier Beach High School, where he was considered one of the top basketball prospects in the country. He was also named to the USA Today All-USA Washington Boys Basketball First Team in both his junior and senior years.
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He has also played in various other leagues and tournaments, including the Drew League and the Seattle Basketball Pro-Am.
7. Vince Williams Jr. (August 30, 2000 – present)
Age as of March 2023: 22 years old
Team: Memphis Grizzlies
Position: Shooting guard / Small forward
Height: 6 ft. 4 in.
photo source: VCU Athletics
Born in Toledo, Ohio, USA, on August 30, 2000, Vince Williams Jr. is a skilled basketball player who can play as a shooting guard or small forward. He began his basketball journey during high school, where he was recognized for his scoring ability, athleticism, and strong work ethic. This caught the attention of college scouts, leading to his college basketball career at Memphis Grizzlies.
At VCU, Williams Jr. made a name for himself as one of the top players on the team. He was known for his aggressive playing style, remarkable shooting skills, and leadership qualities. His contribution helped the team win multiple games, earning him the title of Atlantic 10 All-Rookie team member in his first year.
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Williams Jr. is renowned for his diligence, commitment to the game, and eagerness to assist his team in achieving success.
6. Keegan Murray (August 19, 2000 – present)
Age as of March 2023: 22 years old
Team: Sacramento Kings
Position: Power forward
Height: 6 ft. 8 in.
photo source: Forbes
Keegan Murray is a basketball player who has made a significant impact in college basketball. His outstanding performance has gained recognition from NBA scouts and analysts. He has a unique skill set that enables him to make powerful drives to the basket and shoot accurately from long distances, making him a difficult opponent for defenders.
Murray’s story is remarkable because he was not heavily recruited by top basketball programs despite his talent. He was only a two-star prospect and received little attention. However, he persisted in improving his skills and caught the attention of the Iowa coaching staff. His hard work has made him one of the most exciting players in the Big Ten conference and surpassed all expectations.
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Murray’s work ethic and dedication to basketball have earned him several accolades, such as the Big Ten Player of the Week and being named to the Jerry West Award watch list.
5. Christian Koloko (June 20, 2000 – present)
Age as of March 2023: 22 years old
Team: Toronto Raptors
Position: Center
Height: 7 ft.
photo source: Raptors Rapture
Christian Koloko is a basketball player from Cameroon who currently plays for the Toronto Raptors. He was born on June 20, 2000, and is now 22 years old. Koloko is a center who stands at an impressive height of 7 feet, which gives him a significant advantage over many opponents.
Koloko’s basketball career began in his home country of Cameroon, where he played for several youth teams. He then moved to the United States and played high school basketball at Sierra Canyon School in Chatsworth, California. During his high school career, he was named to the MaxPreps California All-State Team and was ranked as a four-star recruit by ESPN.
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After graduating from high school, Koloko committed to playing college basketball at the University of Arizona. In his freshman season with the Wildcats, he played in all 27 games and averaged 1.9 points, 2.4 rebounds, and 0.8 blocks per game.
4. Ochai Agbaji (April 20, 2000 – present)
Age as of March 2023: 22 years old
Team: Utah Jazz
Position: Shooting guard
Height: 6 ft. 5 in.
photo source: NBA.com
Ochai Agbaji is a basketball player who has become a standout player for the Utah Jazz. He has a unique ability to drive to the basket and finish with authority while also possessing a deadly outside shot that keeps defenders honest. His combination of skills has made him a nightmare for opposing teams, and he has been a key contributor to the Kansas Jayhawks’ success.
What makes Agbaji’s story even more impressive is that he was not highly recruited out of high school. He was only a three-star prospect and received little attention from major college basketball programs. However, he worked tirelessly to improve his game and caught the attention of the Kansas coaching staff. Since then, he has become one of the most exciting players in the Big 12 conference and has exceeded all expectations.
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He has been recognized with numerous accolades, including the All-Big 12 Second Team and the Big 12 All-Freshman Team.
3. Andrew Nembhard (January 16, 2000 – present)
Age as of March 2023: 23 years old
Team: Indiana Pacers
Position: Point guard
Height: 6 ft. 3 in.
photo source: MARCA
Andrew Nembhard is a young and talented basketball player who has made a name for himself in the NCAA. Born on January 16, 2000, in Aurora, Ontario, Nembhard is a point guard for the Indiana Pacers. He is known for his exceptional ball-handling skills, basketball IQ, and ability to make plays in clutch moments.
Nembhard began his basketball career in high school, where he was a standout player for his team. He was known for his ability to control the tempo of the game, make smart decisions with the ball, and create scoring opportunities for his teammates. His skills caught the attention of college coaches, and he eventually committed to playing for the Florida Gators.
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He has been recognized with numerous accolades, including being named to the All-SEC Freshman team and receiving the gold medal at the 2018 FIBA U18 Americas Championship.
2. Isaiah Mobley (September 24, 1999 – present)
Age as of March 2023: 23 years old
Team: Cleveland Cavaliers
Position: Power forward
Height: 6 ft. and 8 in.
photo source: theScore.com
Isaiah Mobley is a rising star in the world of college basketball. Born on September 24, 1999, in San Diego, California, Mobley is a forward for the Cleveland Cavaliers. He comes from a basketball family, with both his father and older brother having played at the collegiate level, and he’s carrying on the family tradition with an impressive game of his own.
At 6 ft 8 in tall, he has the size to dominate in the paint, but he’s also capable of hitting from the outside with ease. He’s a tenacious defender who can guard multiple positions, and his court vision and passing ability make him a threat to score or assist from anywhere on the floor. With his combination of skills, it’s no wonder he’s become one of the most exciting players in college basketball.
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Despite being only a sophomore, he’s already established himself as one of the best players in the Pac-12 conference, earning All-Pac-12 Honorable Mention in his freshman year.
1. Tyrese Martin (March 7, 1999 – present)
Age as of March 2023: 24 years old
Team: Atlanta Hawks
Position: Small forward
Height: 6 ft. and 5 in.
photo source: ESPN
Tyrese Martin is the oldest rookie NBA player in the 2022-2023 season and he is a dynamic basketball player who has quickly established himself as one of the top players in the country. Martin’s journey to the top of the college basketball world has been anything but easy. As a high school player, he was not highly recruited and had to work tirelessly to improve his game. However, his hard work paid off when he was given the opportunity to play at UConn.
What sets Martin apart from other players is his unwavering determination and work ethic. He is constantly pushing himself to be better, and it shows on the court. He is a tenacious defender, often guarding the opposing team’s best player, and has a knack for getting to the rim and finishing with authority. He is also an excellent shooter, with a deadly three-point shot that keeps defenders on their toes.
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Martin’s sophomore season at URI was even more impressive, as he started all 31 games and averaged 12.8 points, 7.1 rebounds, and 1.4 steals per game. He was named to the All-Atlantic 10 Second Team and the All-Defensive Team.
