Kia NBA ROTY Race: Latest ROTY ladder and power rankings feat. Bennedict Mathurin, Walker Kessler and more

The 2022-2023 NBA ROTY race held steady over the past week. However, there were a few notable performances worth talking about, including a monster performance from Utah Jazz big man Walker Kessler.

On that note, here’s this week’s ROTY ladder.

#5: Keegan Murray, Sacramento Kings

Previous week’s ROTY ranking: 5th (-)

Last Week: Games played - 3, Games won - 3, Games lost - 0

Overall: Games played - 40, Games won - 23, Games lost - 17

Last Week: PPG - 12.0, RPG - 4.7, APG - 1.7, SPG - 0.7, BPG - 0.3

Overall: PPG - 11.8, RPG - 3.8, APG - 1.0, SPG - 0.9, BPG - 0.6

Last Week: FG% - 38.7%, 3PT% - 34.8%, FT% - 80.0%

Overall: FG% - 43.3%, 3PT% - 40.4%, FT% - 77.1%

Sacramento Kings forward Keegan Murray had a down week when shooting, going 8-for-23 (34.8%) from three. However, Murray remains the top 3-point shooter among rookies, making a rookie-best 2.4 3-pointers per game on 40.4% shooting from deep.

He has also played a key role in a competitive Kings team that went 3-0 last week to improve to 24-18 and fourth in the Western Conference. Murray’s week was highlighted by his 16-point, six-rebound performance with four made threes against Houston.

#4: Walker Kessler, Utah Jazz

Previous week’s ROTY ranking: 4th (-)

Last Week: Games played - 3, Games won - 2, Games lost - 1

Overall: Games played - 44, Games won - 21, Games lost - 23

Last Week: PPG - 16.0, RPG - 14.0, APG - 1.3, SPG - 1.0, BPG - 3.7

Overall: PPG - 7.5, RPG - 7.2, APG - 0.7, SPG - 0.3, BPG - 2.0

Last Week: FG% - 80.8%, 3PT% - N/A, FT% - 54.5%

Overall: FG% - 71.7%, 3PT% - N/A, FT% - 55.6%

Utah Jazz big man Walker Kessler continued his dominance over the past week. Kessler recorded two double-doubles, including a 20-point, 21-rebound double-double with two blocks on 69.2% shooting versus Minnesota. Kessler also recorded a near triple-double with 13 points, nine rebounds, and seven blocks on 83.3% shooting against Orlando.

Overall, Kessler remains first among rookies in blocks per game (2.0BPG) and second in rebounds per game (7.2RPG). Kessler’s 2.0BPG also ranks fourth in the entire NBA among qualifying players. If he continues to get increased playing time, Kessler could pose a real threat to win ROTY.

#3: Jaden Ivey, Detroit Pistons

Previous week’s ROTY ranking: 3rd (-)

Last Week: Games played - 3, Games won - 1, Games lost - 2

Overall: Games played - 43, Games won - 12, Games lost - 31

Last Week: PPG - 17.0, RPG - 5.7, APG - 6.7, SPG - 1.0, BPG - 0.3

Overall: PPG - 15.1, RPG - 4.1, APG - 4.3, SPG - 0.9, BPG - 0.2

Last Week: FG% - 40.0%, 3PT% - 23.5%, FT% - 73.3%

Overall: FG% - 41.0%, 3PT% - 32.4%, FT% - 72.8%

Detroit Pistons point guard Jaden Ivey had a strong week, putting up 12-plus points, four-plus rebounds and six-plus assists in all three games. Ivey’s week was highlighted by his 18-point, eight-assist, three-steal performance on 63.6% shooting versus Minnesota.

Ivey once again struggled with inefficiency (40.0% shooting) and turnovers (3.0TOPG). However, he continues to put up some of the most well-rounded stat lines among rookies, making him one of the top contenders to win ROTY.

#2: Bennedict Mathurin, Indiana Pacers

Indiana Pacers shooting guard Bennedict Mathurin

Previous week’s ROTY ranking: 2nd (-)

Last Week: Games played - 4, Games won - 0, Games lost - 4

Overall: Games played - 45, Games won - 23, Games lost - 22

Last Week: PPG - 18.5, RPG - 5.5, APG - 1.3, SPG - 0.3, BPG - 0.0

Overall: PPG - 17.2, RPG - 4.0, APG - 1.4, SPG - 0.6, BPG - 0.1

Last Week: FG% - 46.2%, 3PT% - 27.3%, FT% - 76.7%

Overall: FG% - 42.2%, 3PT% - 33.0%, FT% - 81.3%

The Indiana Pacers have struggled lately, going 0-4 over the past week, including 0-3 without star point guard Tyrese Haliburton. However, Pacers shooting guard Bennedict Mathurin still had a strong week for Indiana.

Mathurin scored 12-plus points in all four games, including two games with 20-plus points. He also increased his rebounding, averaging 5.5RPG over the past week. Mathurin’s week was highlighted by his 26-point, five-rebound, three-assist performance on 50.0% shooting against Atlanta.

Overall, Mathurin continues to be one of the most consistent scorers among rookies, ranking second in points per game at 17.2PPG. He also remains the clear-cut No. 2 player in the ROTY race.

#1: Paolo Banchero, Orlando Magic

Previous week’s ROTY ranking: 1st (-)

Last Week: Games played - 2, Games won - 0, Games lost - 2

Overall: Games played - 37, Games won - 13, Games lost - 24

Last Week: PPG - 18.5, RPG - 3.0, APG - 3.5, SPG - 1.5, BPG - 0.5

Overall: PPG - 21.1, RPG - 6.6, APG - 3.8, SPG - 1.1, BPG - 0.5

Last Week: FG% - 52.0%, 3PT% - 37.5%, FT% - 80.0%

Overall: FG% - 43.9%, 3PT% - 31.6%, FT% - 76.0%

Orlando Magic forward Paolo Banchero only played two games last week. However, Banchero had strong performances in both games, scoring 18-plus points on 50.0%-or-better shooting in both games.

Overall, Banchero continues to be the best scorer among rookies at 21.1PPG. He also remains the best all-round rookie, ranking fourth in rebounds (6.6RPG), third in assists (3.8APG) and tied for first in steals per game (1.1SPG). All of this has helped Banchero maintain his overwhelming status as the frontrunner to win ROTY.