TOP10

This year’s NBA season has included some major displays of talent. The rookies this year have had to battle that much more to be the best. Here is a ranking of the Top 10 rookies of this year. (Content by Tyger Kibera)

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Paolo Banchero

This year’s favorite to win rookie of the year, Banchero has been putting up numbers that has shocked the league. Coming from Duke, the #1 pick in the draft is currently averaging 22 ppg, 6.8 rebounds and 3.9 assists. He is in the process of potentially changing the Magic’s reputation and might make them a real contender in years to come.

Bennedict Mathurin

He’s the 6’5 sg/sf, averaging 17.9 ppg, 1.5 assists and 4.1 rebounds. Currently leading the Indiana Pacers to a 6th seed in the Eastern conference.

Jaden Ivey

Listed in the draft as an explosive guard. Averaging 15 ppg, 4.3 rebounds and 3.9 assists. Ivey taking that extra year in college rather than being a one and done like most, really gave his game that edge to his on-ball play style.

Jabari Smith, Jr.

During the summer league, Smith showed that he can compete at a high level. His 6’11, 220 pound frame lets him be a rebounding threat to the other team. Currently averaging 12 ppg, 7.1 rebounds, 0.7 assists per game.

Jalen Williams

Williams was a guy that everyone snoozed on and was not talked about enough leading up to his rookie career. He is shooting over 50% field goal pct, ranking top 5 among rookies. Giving OKC 10.7 ppg, 3.2 rebounds and 2.7 assists.

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Keegan Murray

Coming out of Iowa and being drafted to the Kings who didn’t have any expectations coming into the new year, Murray has helped the Kings to the 3rd seed. Murray is averaging 11.9 ppg, 4 rebounds and .8 assists a game on 42% field goal pct.

Jalen Duren

Coming from Memphis, Duren is a strong willed, physically gifted player that’s sets him apart from the rest on the defensive end. Duren is giving the Pistons 6.9 ppg, 8 rebounds and 8 blocks per game.

Andrew Nembhard

Nembhard was overlooked by many teams and ended up being drafted in the late second. To say the least, he has shocked everybody and proved he is one of the top guys in his class. Nembhard is averaging 8.5 ppg, 2.9 rebounds and 3.8 assists.

Tari Eason

The athletic sf/pf has shown really good potential this far in the season. Being so gifted, Eason can guard three out of five positions, making him a versatile player when it is off the pick n’ roll and in transition. Eason is averaging 8.5 ppg, 5.3 rebounds and .8 assists.

Aj Griffin

A very efficient off-ball scorer in college, Griffin has learned very quickly how to create a shot for himself in the league. The Atlanta Hawks sg/pf is averaging 10.4 ppg on 2.1 rebounds and 1 assist.

“[Paolo Banchero’s] got all the skills. He’s got a lot of talent. I hope that he can kind of grow into being that dominant player that he was in college and continue to do that through the NBA.”

- Jeffrey Fletcher, Principal

“I think [Jaden Ivey’s] going to be a good scorer in the future. I think he’ll get nice assist numbers and just [good] numbers in general.”

- Danny Schanks, sophomore

“I think Benedict Mathurin is a great rookie and the Pacers fought the steal of the draft with him. I think he will evolve into an all-star later in his career.”

- Eli Bollinger, freshman