Even the best of rookies don't usually break onto the scene with All-Star talent in NBA 2K22. There's a good reason for that. It takes a while for almost everybody to make a splash at the NBA level. Even the Rookie of the Year is rarely an All-Star. The NBA is just too competitive for players to walk on and be instantly successful.

RELATED: NBA 2K22: How To Create The Best Custom Jumpshot

There are some occasional exceptions to the rule, of course. Every year, NBA 2K22 looks at each newcomer and tries to gauge which ones will be immediately successful. A high overall rating means they might begin the year as a starter or make their teams a contender.

10 Corey Kispert - 74

NBA 2K22 Rookie Corey Kispert Is Rated At 74

The Julius Erving Award is given to the best small forward in basketball in college and the winner in 2021 was Corey Kispert. The Consensus All-American was taken as the fifteenth pick in the draft and went to the Washington Wizards.

Kispert was initially going to be part of the 2020 NBA Draft but later decided to take another year. The move paid off as he was the WCC Player of the Year and took Gonzaga to the national championship.

9 James Bouknight - 74

NBA 2K22 Rookie James Bouknight Is Rated At 74

Being able to shine when surrounded by talent is tough to do, but that's exactly what James Bouknight did. At UConn, he was a classic shooting guard with a knack for putting up lots of points when he got hot. His three-point shooting has room for improvement, but he can make it work on the inside.

The Charlotte Hornets took him with the eleventh pick in the draft, hoping that he can be a shot in the arm for a team that is suddenly exciting to watch. With LaMelo Ball at point guard, this is a good team for a shooting guard to be on.

8 Josh Giddey - 75

NBA 2K22 Rookie Josh Giddey Is Rated At 75

Australian superstar Josh Giddey was the National Basketball League Rookie of the Year. The biggest mark "against" Giddey is his daunting 6'8" stature, usually more suited as an ideal build for a small forward.

But those who have seen Giddey know that he is light on his feet and fits better as a guard with his skillset. The Oklahoma City Thunder, with drastic need at the position, was selected as the sixth pick in the draft. So far, all indications are that his talent was not exaggerated.

7 Jonathan Kuminga - 75

NBA 2K22 Rookie Jonathan Kuminga Is Rated At 75

Johnathan was a rare player who was drafted after, not before, playing in the G League. After one season where he averaged over fifteen points per game, the Golden State Warriors decided it was time to bring him up to the NBA with the seventh pick in the draft.

RELATED: NBA 2K22: Best Dunk Packages

His decision to go pro instead of going to college was a smart one. Thanks to already playing at the professional level, Kuminga is decidedly more prepared than many of his peers, looking to bring back the glory days of having strong forwards to pair with the Splash Brothers and their incredible three-point shooting ways.

6 Scottie Barnes - 76

NBA 2K22 Rookie Scottie Barnes Is Rated At 76

Toronto fans will tell anybody that losing Kawhi Leonard to the Clippers hurt. It's hard to fill the void of small forward with shoes like that to fill, but the Raptors are banking on Scottie Barnes being up to the task. He's historically played well above his expectations.

Off of the bench, Barnes won Sixth Man of the Year and Freshman of the Year for the ACC. His undervalued rank in college would not be the same for NBA scouts, as they used a fourth overall pick to snag the talent.

5 Davion Mitchell - 76

NBA 2K22 Rookie Davion Mitchell Is Rated At 76

In 2021, Davion Mitchell won about every Defensive Player of the Year award that exists as a point guard. He'll surely be carrying an elevated defensive score into NBA 2K22 with some of the best defensive badges around.

That's not to say he can't shoot and pass, either. The point guard is gifted beyond the arc and steadily improved his passing game throughout his college career. After leading Baylor to their first NCAA championship, Mitchell was taken ninth overall by the Kings.

4 Jalen Suggs - 77

NBA 2K22 Rookie Jalen Suggs Is Rated At 77

Some players don't need a long time to make their mark on a team. Jalen Suggs was only at Gonzaga for a single year, but during that year, he was a college star, leading the team to a nearly undefeated season, losing only their final game to Baylor.

Of course, NBA talent couldn't resist his talent, even in a league already packed with talent at that position. The Orlando Magic, one of the few teams with a need still at that position, selected Suggs with the fifth pick in the draft.

3 Evan Mobley - 78

NBA 2K22 Rookie Evan Mobley Is Rated At 78

Everybody who has watched basketball over the last twenty years has seen the dramatic shift away from centers. Evan Mobley reminds fans that, with superior talent, it is still possible to dominate with the old-school fundamentals underneath the rim.

RELATED: NBA 2K22: Best Dribble Moves

The Cavaliers took him with the third pick in the draft, seeing as how he was the Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year and Pac-12 Player of the Year in 2021. Winning these honors as a big man will many basketball purists very happy to see.

2 Jalen Green - 79

NBA 2K22 Rookie Jalen Green Is Rated At 79

Jalen Green is the second G League draftee on this list and also the second Ignite player, as he teamed up with Jonathan Kuminga to play for them in 2021 on a "prove it" contract. He proved it enough to be the second pick in the draft, taken by the Houston Rockets.

The pure shooting guard is going to bring an excitement at the position for the Rockets not felt since Harden went to Brooklyn. He's got a gift to haul in rebounds in addition to the expected point and assist totals.

1 Cade Cunningham - 80

NBA 2K22 Rookie Cade Cunningham Is Rated At 80

Being Big 12 Freshman of the Year is impressive. Being overall Freshman of the Year is even more impressive. But jaws hit the floor when this freshman was also college basketball's Player of the Year. The 6'7" point guard is capable in all aspects of the game.

Beyond just his stat-stuffing numbers, he's got a clutch ability to land the big shots when the team needs someone to step up. The Pistons are in a dire situation, looking to add talent to the roster, and point guard is the right place to start. This could truly be the beginning of something incredible.

NBA 2K22 was released on September 9th, 2021, and is available on Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, and PC.

MORE: NBA 2K22: How To Get The Gym Rat Badge