The Ultimate Guide to the 2016 NBA Rookie Class: Where Are They Now?

I still remember that electric night in June 2016, sitting in a Brooklyn sports bar surrounded by fellow basketball junkies. The air was thick with anticipation as we watched the NBA draft unfold on the big screens above the bar. My friend Mark, who'd been nursing his beer for an hour, suddenly slammed his hand on the table. "This class is special," he declared, pointing at the fresh-faced Ben Simmons stepping onto the stage as the first overall pick. "We're witnessing history tonight." Little did we know how right he was, nor how dramatically these young talents would reshape the league in the coming years.

That memory came rushing back to me recently when I stumbled upon an old Pacquiao interview while scrolling through boxing highlights. The Filipino legend said something that struck me as oddly relevant to our basketball discussion: "Let's fight again if he (Mayweather) wants. I have no problem with that." That fighting spirit, that willingness to return to the arena no matter the previous outcome, perfectly captures what makes the 2016 rookie class so fascinating to track. These weren't just players who showed up - they were fighters who kept showing up, season after season, through injuries, trades, and the relentless pressure of professional basketball.

Take Brandon Ingram, for instance. Selected second overall by the Lakers, the lanky forward faced immediate comparisons to Kevin Durant that would have crushed lesser spirits. I recall watching his first summer league game in Las Vegas, how he moved with this almost unnatural grace for someone standing 6'9". The kid was literally still growing into his body, yet you could see the potential shimmering beneath the surface. Fast forward to today, and he's blossomed into an All-Star who dropped 24.7 points per game last season. The transformation has been remarkable to witness firsthand.

Then there's the curious case of Ben Simmons. Oh, how the narrative has shifted around him. That draft night, we all thought Philadelphia had landed their franchise savior. I'll admit - I bought into the hype completely. The Australian phenom seemed destined for superstardom with his LeBron-esque combination of size and court vision. Yet here we are, seven years later, and Simmons represents one of the most perplexing "what if" stories in recent memory. His journey reminds me of those boxers who have all the physical gifts but can't quite conquer the mental aspect of the sport. Still, at just 26, I haven't given up on him yet. Call me stubborn, but I still believe we might see that promised potential fully realized.

The real gems of this class, however, emerged from deeper in the draft. Finding Domantas Sabonis at pick 11 now looks like sheer robbery, though I remember many analysts questioning whether his game would translate to the NBA. My college basketball-obsessed cousin actually predicted Sabonis would outperform several players taken before him, and boy was he right. The big man has developed into a walking double-double machine, making three All-Star appearances while fundamentally changing Sacramento's franchise trajectory. Meanwhile, Pascal Siakam at 27th overall might be the ultimate steal - from G-League project to NBA champion and All-NBA selection. I've followed his career closely because his work ethic reminds me of those athletes who simply refuse to be outworked, much like Pacquiao's relentless training regimen.

Speaking of development, Jaylen Brown's evolution has been particularly satisfying to chronicle. The third overall pick entered the league as an athletic defender with a questionable jump shot. I attended a Celtics game during his rookie year where opposing fans were literally shouting "he can't shoot!" during free throws. The transformation since has been nothing short of extraordinary. Now he's a two-time All-Star who just signed the richest contract in NBA history worth approximately $304 million over five years. His improvement exemplifies what happens when elite talent meets relentless dedication.

The 2016 class also gave us several quality role players who have carved out impressive careers. Malcolm Brogdon, the 36th pick who surprisingly won Rookie of the Year, has become the consummate professional every contender covets. I've always appreciated his efficient, no-nonsense approach to the game. Then there's Caris LeVert, selected 20th overall, who overcame significant health scares to establish himself as a reliable scoring threat. These players may not grab headlines like the top picks, but they've demonstrated the staying power that separates transient talents from genuine NBA professionals.

As I reflect on these journeys while working on this ultimate guide to the 2016 NBA rookie class and where they are now, what strikes me most isn't just the individual successes, but how these players have collectively influenced team building philosophies. The hits from this draft came from various slots - high lottery picks, late first-rounders, even second-round selections. It's a reminder that talent evaluation remains as much art as science, and that development paths are rarely linear. Seven years later, approximately 14 players from this 60-pick draft class remain impactful NBA rotation players, a testament to the depth we sensed that night in Brooklyn.

The parallel to Pacquiao's fighting spirit becomes increasingly apparent the deeper you look. These players have weathered the equivalent of boxing's grueling rounds - from the pressure of expectations to the physical toll of NBA seasons. They've taken their punches, adapted their games, and many are still swinging. As we continue tracking their careers, that 2016 draft class continues to provide compelling narratives about growth, resilience, and the unpredictable nature of professional sports. And honestly, I can't wait to see what the next chapter holds for these fighters.