NBA 2K22 Rookie Ratings: 2021 First-Round Draft Picks

NBA 2K22 ratings apply to every rookie starting their NBA career, including the No. 1 overall pick, Cade Cunningham.

With the NBA season under way, fans are getting their first real look at the members of the 2021 rookie draft class on the court, which means it is time to see what that means for NBA 2K22. Off the court, all 32 rookies from the first round of this year's draft are now playable in the game.

After more than a month with the game, players have had a chance to look things over properly, and NBA 2K22's gameplay tweaks are settling in. One of the most exciting new features is the addition of a meter for aggressive dunks or alley-oops. It can be risky and can increase the chance of missing the dunk entirely, but it can be extremely satisfying and look spectacular when a high-flyer pulls one off. A few players in the 2021 NBA rookie class can do just that.

It is no surprise that the No. 1 overall pick, Cade Cunningham, is the highest-rated rookie. At 80 overall and only 20 years old, he is a very valuable pick to start an NBA 2K22 fantasy draft. Badges are king, so it is impressive for a rookie that Cunningham starts with 17 of them. None of his badges are defensive, but he still has respectable perimeter defense and lateral quickness ratings. That will let the Pistons' new franchise player guard most guards and wings without trouble.

2021 NBA Draft First-Round Picks: NBA 2K22 Ratings

Cavaliers big man Evan Mobley is another rookie shining both on the court and in NBA 2K22. The 20-year-old 7-footer has a versatile 78-overall skill set to go with great athleticism, which makes him a lot of fun to play as on a team in the game. Silver Lob City Finisher is one of the 3 finishing badges in NBA 2K22, which makes him a perfect candidate to test the new alley-oop meter. Overalls and badge counts for the rest of the first round are listed below:

1. Cade Cunningham, Detroit Pistons - 80 overall, 17 badges
2. Jalen Green, Houston Rockets - 79 overall, 11 badges
3. Evan Mobley, Cleveland Cavaliers - 78 overall, 9 badges
4. Scottie Barnes, Toronto Raptors - 76 overall, 4 badges
5. Jalen Suggs, Orlando Magic - 77 overall, 12 badges
6. Josh Giddey, Oklahoma City Thunder - 75 overall, 3 badges
7. Jonathan Kuminga, Golden State Warriors - 75 overall, 4 badges
8. Franz Wagner, Orlando Magic - 74 overall, 4 badges
9. Davion Mitchell, Sacramento Kings - 76 overall, 10 badges...
10. Ziaire Williams, Memphis Grizzlies - 72 overall, 3 badges
11. James Bouknight, Charlotte Hornets - 74 overall, 2 badges
12. Joshua Primo, San Antonio Spurs - 71 overall, 8 badges
13. Chris Duarte, Indiana Pacers - 73 overall, 3 badges
14. Moses Moody, Golden State Warriors - 73 overall, 2 badges
15. Corey Kispert, Washington Wizards - 74 overall, 6 badges
16. Alperen Sengun, Houston Rockets - 73 overall, 2 badges
17. Trey Murphy, New Orleans Pelicans - 72 overall, 0 badges
18. Tre Mann, Oklahoma City Thunder - 72 overall, 3 badges
19. Kai Jones, Charlotte Hornets - 72 overall, 3 badges
20. Jalen Johnson, Atlanta Hawks - 73 overall, 1 badge
21. Keon Johnson, Los Angeles Clippers - 73 overall, 2 badges
22. Isaiah Jackson, Indiana Pacers - 72 overall, 2 badges
23. Usman Garuba, Houston Rockets - 72 overall, 2 badges
24. Josh Christopher, Houston Rockets - 70 overall, 2 badges
25. Quentin Grimes, New York Knicks - 71 overall, 1 badge
26. Nah’Shon "Bones" Hyland, Denver Nuggets - 71 overall, 1 badge
27. Cameron Thomas, Brooklyn Nets - 71 overall, 1 badge
28. Jaden Springer, Philadelphia 76ers - 71 overall, 1 badge
29. Day’Ron Sharpe, Brooklyn Nets - 71 overall, 1 badge
30. Santi Aldama, Memphis Grizzlies - 70 overall, 1 badge