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

The NBA Rookie of the Year race is heating up with two players making a strong late push to challenge for the award. Meanwhile, one rookie has fallen out of the top two for the first time in weeks.

On that note, here’s this week’s Kia NBA ROTY Ladder:

#5. Jaden Ivey, Detroit Pistons

Previous week’s ROTY ranking: 5th (-)

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

Overall: Games played - 61, Games won - 15, Games lost - 46

Last Week: PPG - 16.8, RPG - 4.5, APG - 7.3, SPG - 0.8, BPG - 0.0

Overall: PPG - 15.4, RPG - 3.9, APG - 4.9, SPG - 0.9, BPG - 0.2

Last Week: FG% - 38.6%, 3PT% - 28.6%, FT% - 77.3%

Overall: FG% - 41.8%, 3PT% - 33.2%, FT% - 72.9%

Detroit Pistons point guard Jaden Ivey once again struggled with turnovers (3.8 tpg) and inefficient shooting (38.6%) over the past week. However, he still filled the stat sheet, scoring in double figures in all four games while recording two double-doubles.

Ivey’s week was highlighted by his 26-point, 12-assist double-double with five rebounds, one steal and three 3-pointers versus Washington. Despite his weaknesses, Ivey remains among the best rookie playmakers.

#4. Bennedict Mathurin, Indiana Pacers

Indiana Pacers shooting guard Bennedict Mathurin

Previous week’s ROTY ranking: 2nd (↓2)

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

Overall: Games played - 66, Games won - 29, Games lost - 37

Last Week: PPG - 12.3, RPG - 3.3, APG - 1.0, SPG - 0.3, BPG - 0.3

Overall: PPG - 16.9, RPG - 4.1, APG - 1.4, SPG - 0.6, BPG - 0.1

Last Week: FG% - 44.8%, 3PT% - 12.5%, FT% - 76.9%

Overall: FG% - 42.9%, 3PT% - 31.7%, FT% - 82.8%

Indiana Pacers shooting guard Bennedict Mathurin has been viewed as a top-two ROTY contender all season. This came as he started his rookie campaign on fire, regularly scoring 20-plus points a night. However, Mathurin appears to have hit a wall as of late, while other rookies have continued to ascend.

Over three games last week, Mathurin scored in double figures twice, failing to reach the 20-point mark even once. His week was highlighted by his 17-point, four-rebound, three-assist, one-steal performance against Chicago.

Over the past 30 days, Mathurin’s scoring average is now down to 14.2 ppg with minimal supporting stats. So for now, Mathurin has dropped out of the top two on the ROTY ladder.

#3. Jalen Williams, OKC Thunder

Previous week’s ROTY ranking: 4th (↑1)

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

Overall: Games played - 60, Games won - 28, Games lost - 32

Last Week: PPG - 25.3, RPG - 5.0, APG - 5.3, SPG - 2.7, BPG - 1.0

Overall: PPG - 13.3, RPG - 4.2, APG - 3.1, SPG - 1.4, BPG - 0.5

Last Week: FG% - 64.4%, 3PT% - 66.7%, FT% - 71.4%

Overall: FG% - 52.1%, 3PT% - 34.9%, FT% - 76.6%

OKC Thunder wing Jalen Williams had the best week of any rookie over the past week. Williams scored 20-plus points in all three games while filling the stat sheet with 25/5/5 averages. He did so while shooting a blistering 64.4% and 66.7% from deep. Williams also racked up eight steals and three blocks through three games.

Williams’ week was highlighted by his career-best 32-point, five-rebound, five-assist, two-steal, two-block performance. This included four 3-pointers on 80.0% shooting versus Utah.

Overall, Williams has proven to be one of the best two-way rookies all season. His increased scoring as of late moves him into the top three in this week’s ROTY ladder.

#2. Walker Kessler, Utah Jazz

Previous week’s ROTY ranking: 3rd (↑1)

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

Overall: Games played - 62, Games won - 29, Games lost - 33

Last Week: PPG - 13.5, RPG - 10.5, APG - 0.0, SPG - 0.0, BPG - 4.5

Overall: PPG - 8.4, RPG - 8.1, APG - 0.8, SPG - 0.4, BPG - 2.3

Last Week: FG% - 81.3%, 3PT% - 0.0, FT% - 50.0%

Overall: FG% - 71.4%, 3PT% - 50.0, FT% - 53.2%

Utah Jazz big man Walker Kessler only played two games last week. He still made a massive impact, recording two double-doubles and racking up nine total blocks. Kessler has now recorded double-doubles in three straight games and double-digit rebounds in six straight.

Kessler’s week was highlighted by his 17-point, 10-rebound, five-block performance on 72.7% shooting versus OKC.

Despite being a rookie, an argument could be made that Kessler has already developed into the best rim protector in the NBA. This comes as the big man is leading the entire NBA in blocks over the past 30 days (3.3 bpg). That number is also up to a ridiculous 4.6 bpg over the past two weeks.

#1. Paolo Banchero, Orlando Magic

Previous week’s ROTY ranking: 1st (-)

Last Week: Games played - 4, Games won - 1, Games lost - 3

Overall: Games played - 59, Games won - 24, Games lost - 35

Last Week: PPG - 21.5, RPG - 5.5, APG - 3.8, SPG - 0.5, BPG - 1.0

Overall: PPG - 20.0, RPG - 6.6, APG - 3.6, SPG - 0.9, BPG - 0.5

Last Week: FG% - 44.0%, 3PT% - 29.4%, FT% - 62.5%

Overall: FG% - 42.3%, 3PT% - 27.5%, FT% - 74.7%

Despite facing increased competition as of late, Orlando Magic forward Paolo Banchero continues to hold strong at No. 1 on the ROTY ladder.

Over four games last week, Banchero scored 20-plus points three times. His week was highlighted by his 31-point, six-rebound, five-assist, one steal, one-block performance with two 3-pointers on 50.0% shooting against Charlotte.

Banchero has proven week after week that he is among the most explosive wing scorers in the league. Meanwhile, he has consistently put up the most well-rounded stats among rookies.

Following his strong week, Banchero is once again the only rookie averaging 20-plus points on the season (20.0 ppg). He has done so despite having shot 1-for-33 (3.0%) from three in February. So as his shooting continues to improve, the sky is the limit for Banchero offensively.