I still remember the excitement surrounding the 2016 NBA rookie class like it was yesterday. That year brought us Ben Simmons as the first overall pick, Brandon Ingram going second to the Lakers, and Jaylen Brown landing with the Celtics at number three. What made this class particularly fascinating was how these young talents were entering the league right as the game was undergoing a fundamental shift toward positionless basketball and three-point shooting dominance. Looking back now, eight years later, it's remarkable to see how their careers have unfolded in such dramatically different ways.
When I think about that draft class today, Ben Simmons immediately comes to mind. Selected first by the Philadelphia 76ers, he sat out his entire first season due to injury but then exploded onto the scene to win Rookie of the Year in 2018. At his peak, he was a triple-double threat every night, making three All-Star teams and two All-Defensive teams. But these days, his career has taken such a strange turn. After forcing his way out of Philadelphia to Brooklyn, he's struggled with back injuries and confidence issues, playing only 42 games over the past two seasons. It's heartbreaking to watch someone with so much talent struggle to find his way back to form.
Meanwhile, Brandon Ingram's journey has been the complete opposite. He took a few seasons to develop but eventually blossomed into an All-Star after being traded to New Orleans in the Anthony Davis deal. Last season, he averaged 20.8 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 5.7 assists while shooting nearly 39% from three-point range. What I love about Ingram's game is how he's evolved from a skinny prospect into a legitimate scoring threat who can create his own shot from anywhere on the court. He reminds me of those fighters who keep improving their craft year after year, much like Manny Pacquiao continuing to refine his technique throughout his career.
Speaking of Pacquiao, his recent comments about being open to another Mayweather fight got me thinking about how NBA careers often mirror boxing careers in their unpredictability. When Pacquiao said, "Let's fight again if he wants. I have no problem with that," it showed that competitive fire never really dies in true athletes. I see that same spirit in several members of the 2016 class who've had to fight through adversity. Take Domantas Sabonis, picked 11th by Orlando but traded to Oklahoma City on draft night. He's completely reinvented himself as an interior force for Sacramento, leading the league in rebounds last season with 12.3 per game while making his third All-Star appearance. His game isn't flashy, but he's become incredibly effective through sheer determination and skill development.
The real steals of that draft, in my opinion, were Jamal Murray at number 7 and Pascal Siakam at 27. Murray took a few years to find his footing but then exploded during the 2020 bubble playoffs, averaging 26.5 points per game and helping Denver reach the Western Conference Finals. His clutch performances have become legendary, and despite missing the entire 2021-22 season with an ACL tear, he returned to help lead the Nuggets to their first championship in 2023. Siakam's development has been equally impressive – from G-League player to Most Improved Player to NBA champion and two-time All-Star. These guys prove that draft position really doesn't determine career trajectory.
What fascinates me most about tracking this rookie class is seeing how their careers have diverged. While Simmons has struggled, his fellow top picks like Ingram and Brown have flourished. Brown just signed the richest contract in NBA history worth $304 million over five years after winning Finals MVP in 2023. Meanwhile, several second-round picks from that class have outlasted many first-rounders. Malcolm Brogdon, picked 36th, has carved out a solid career, even winning Sixth Man of the Year in 2023. Fred VanVleet went undrafted entirely but became an All-Star and just signed a massive $128 million contract with Houston.
The boxing comparison keeps coming back to me as I reflect on these careers. Just like Pacquiao preparing for potential rematches years later, these NBA players constantly reinvent themselves to stay relevant in a rapidly changing league. When I watch players like Caris LeVert (picked 20th) develop from a role player into a reliable starter averaging 16.2 points per game last season, it reminds me that growth isn't always linear. Some players peak early, others develop slowly, and a few never quite live up to their potential.
Looking at the complete picture of the 2016 NBA rookie class today, what stands out to me is how their collective story reflects the unpredictable nature of professional sports careers. Of the 60 players selected that night, only about 35 are still in the league eight years later. Some became superstars, others solid rotation players, and a few disappeared entirely. The class has combined for 15 All-Star appearances, 4 championships, and countless memorable moments. Their journeys continue to evolve, much like Pacquiao's fighting career, proving that in sports, the story is never truly over until the final buzzer sounds or the final bell rings. As we watch these players enter their prime years, I'm excited to see what chapters they'll add to their already fascinating career stories.