A special award is given to the best rookie in the latest draft class each year to recognize real talent and hard work. The Rookie of the Year award is given to the best among all the fresh faces. Spoiler Alert: It’s Ben Simmons. Again. Just kidding! This season, we have seen top-picked players show what they are capable of. Some have exceeded expectations, while others, well, not so much. Here are the top 5 rookies that are set to win the trophy this season.
5. Walker Kessler (Utah Jazz)
The biggest steal of the 2022 NBA draft is probably the 22nd overall pick, Walker Kessler. The 21-year-old big man has been sensational despite being a late first-rounder.
Career Averages: 8.7 PPG, 0.9 APG, 8.4 RPG, 2.3 BPG
The Rookie of the month for February made waves in the league as a great contributor on the defensive end of the floor. With an average of 2.3 rejections a night, he is already a defensive nightmare for most opponents. In addition, Kessler also joins the likes of Shaquille O’Neal, David Robinson, Dikembe Mutombo, Alonzo Mourning, Tim Duncan, and Shawn Bradley as the only players who put up more than 5 blocks for 10+ games as rookies.
Also Read: Ranking the Last 10 NBA No.1 Draft Picks
Rookies with 10+ games with 5 blocks since 1990:
David Robinson
Dikembe Mutombo
Alonzo Mourning
Shaquille O'Neal
Shawn Bradley
Tim DuncanAnd now, Walker Kessler. pic.twitter.com/CIioxhYPtZ
— StatMuse (@statmuse) March 21, 2023
4. Jaden Ivey (Detroit Pistons)
The 2022 draft’s no.5 pick went straight to the Detroit Pistons, who had the 2021 first pick (Cade Cunningham). Either way, Motor City is still nowhere near a contender, but let’s give them some slack. Their latest lottery pick, Jaden Ivey, has huge potential with his slashing ability.
Career Averages: 15.4 PPG, 4.9 APG, 3.9 RPG
As one of the top guards in his class, Ivey proved to be an offensive threat with his double-figure scoring. Although he is a bit undersized for his position (a 6-foot-4 shooting guard), he makes up for it with his impressive athleticism.
Also read: 2023 NBA Most Improved Player: Will it be Lauri Markkanen or Shai Gilgeous-Alexander?
3. Bennedict Mathurin (Indiana Pacers)
When rookie Bennedict Mathurin said earlier this season that “LeBron is going to have to show me he’s better than me”, you know he is something special. The 6th pick in last year’s draft is number 3 on our list for various reasons. For starters, he is already a reliable scorer. At almost 17 points per contest in his first year, you can’t underestimate that.
Career Averages: 16.7 PPG, 1.4 APG, 4.0 RPG
Looking closely at Mathurin, you could see a Jaylen Brown prototype. A guy with lots of tricks in his bag while also being good at defending the wing. With him and Tyrese Haliburton commanding the offense, the future is bright for Indiana Pacers fans.
Also read: Zion Williamson’s NBA Return: Will He Be Back Before Playoffs?
2. Jalen Williams (Oklahoma City Thunder)
A team that was already written off this season by some analysts has surprised the NBA and the fans. The now 7th-seed Oklahoma City Thunder has the youngest core with an average of 23.14 years old.
Career Averages: 13.6 PPG, 3.2 APG, 4.5 RPG
Of course, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is leading this squad with his outrageous scoring output. However, the rookie Jalen Williams has also emerged as a great contributor to the team. Since March 12, he is averaging 14.4 points and is shooting pretty efficiently. Williams, Josh Giddey, SGA, and Lu Dort have pushed this young team to possible playoff contention this season even without Chet Holmgren.
Also Read: NBA: 2023 Defensive Player of the Year ladder – Who is winning it this year?
1. Paolo Banchero
The clear cut for the best rookie this year is no other than the first overall pick, Paolo Banchero. The one-and-done player from Duke University took the league by storm with his stellar performances.
Career Averages: 20.0 PPG, 3.7 APG, 6.7
The Orlando Magic’s history might have repeated itself by getting a star big man in their first pick (i.e. Shaquille O’Neal and Dwight Howard). Hopefully, Banchero turns the Magic franchise around. Sooner or later, Banchero will become an All-Star and probably be Orlando’s cornerstone.
Who do you think should win the Rookie of the Year award? Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments below. For more content, stay with us, here at Spiel Times.
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