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5 second-year NBA players ready to take the leap this season

By Jakob Ashlin

Oct 28, 2022; Portland, Oregon, USA; Houston Rockets power forward Jabari Smith Jr. (1) shoots the ball against Portland Trail Blazers shooting guard Shaedon Sharpe (17) during the second half at Moda Center. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 28, 2022; Portland, Oregon, USA; Houston Rockets power forward Jabari Smith Jr. (1) shoots the ball against Portland Trail Blazers shooting guard Shaedon Sharpe (17) during the second half at Moda Center. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports /
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Apr 2, 2023; New York, New York, USA; Washington Wizards guard Johnny Davis (1) dribbles up court against the New York Knicks during the second half at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 2, 2023; New York, New York, USA; Washington Wizards guard Johnny Davis (1) dribbles up court against the New York Knicks during the second half at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports /

The 2023 NBA Draft class was loaded with talent but not every rookie popped in their first season. Which second-year players will take a leap in 2023-24?

The 2022 NBA Draft class was loaded with talent. Paolo Banchero and Bennedict Mathurin had big rookie seasons. Banchero became the first rookie since Luka Doncic (2018-19) to average 20 points per game, while Mathurin was second in the entire NBA in bench points.

Other members of the 2022 class are primed for breakout years in their second seasons. Let’s break down five second-year players ready to take the next leap in their development.

Second-year NBA players ready to take the leap: 5. Johnny Davis

After a rough start, people were quick to write off Davis as a bust. Prior to the All-Star break, he appeared in 13 games, averaging a mere 1.2 points per game on 33.3 percent shooting.

However, Davis showed flashes of his lottery potential as the season progressed. On April 4, he recorded 20 points (9-of-17 from the field 2-of-5 from beyond the arc), 5 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 steals, and 2 blocks against the Milwaukee Bucks. During the game, he continually attacked Jrue Holiday and Giannis Antetokounmpo at the rim. On this play, he dunked on Holiday in transition:

In April, Davis averaged 17.0 points, 5.6 rebounds, 3.8 assists, and 1.4 steals in five games. He only shot 26.3 percent from 3, but he continued to be an impressive finisher at the basket.

Davis showed his inside scoring ability can translate to the next level. If he can improve as a shooter, he can become a dangerous three-level scorer for the Wizards. Davis’s shooting development appears to be trending in the right direction. During NBA Summer League, he shot an efficient 42.9 percent from deep.

The Wizards are officially in rebuild mode. Tyus Jones and Jordan Poole will comprise the team’s starting backcourt. If Davis continues to play well, he could play a key sixth-man role. Head coach Wes Unseld Jr. could also deploy three guards lineup with Jones, Davis, and Poole.

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