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The race for the 2022-2023 NBA ROTY award didn’t change much over the past week. A few unranked rookies like Andrew Nembhard and AJ Griffin had some strong weeks and look poised to enter the top five at some point. However, for now, the top five remains the same with a slight shake-up at the top.
So on that note, here’s this week’s ROTY ladder.
No. 5: Jalen Williams, OKC Thunder
Previous week’s ROTY ranking: 5th (-)
Last Week: Games played - 3, Games won - 3, Games lost - 0
Overall: Games played - 20, Games won - 9, Games lost - 11
Last Week: PPG - 16.7, RPG - 4.7, APG - 2.0, SPG - 0.0, BPG - 0.3
Overall: PPG - 10.8, RPG - 3.3, APG - 2.5, SPG - 0.6, BPG - 0.4
Last Week: FG% - 67.7%, 3PT% - 60.0%, FT% - 55.6%
Overall: FG% - 53.4%, 3PT% - 30.4%, FT% - 80.0%
OKC Thunder wing Jalen Williams had his best week for the Thunder, shooting above 60.0% in all three games. Williams’ week was highlighted by a career-best 27-point, six-rebound performance versus the Spurs. He also scored in double figures in his other two games and helped lead OKC to a perfect 3-0 week.
No. 4: Jabari Smith Jr., Houston Rockets
Previous week’s ROTY ranking: 4th (-)
Last Week: Games played - 4, Games won - 2, Games lost - 2
Overall: Games played - 23, Games won - 7, Games lost - 16
Last Week: PPG - 13.0, RPG - 6.5, APG - 0.5, SPG - 0.5, BPG - 0.8
Overall: PPG - 11.8, RPG - 7.0, APG - 0.7, SPG - 0.3, BPG - 1.0
Last Week: FG% - 46.2%, 3PT% - 47.4%, FT% - 77.8%
Overall: FG% - 36.7%, 3PT% - 35.5%, FT% - 84.3%
Houston Rockets forward Jabari Smith Jr. continues to improve his efficiency following his disastrous offensive start to the season. Smith shot above 40.0% in three of four games last week. He shot above 50.0% from deep in three games as well.
Smith also finished with 13-or-more points in three games, including a 16-point, 11-rebound double-double in a double-overtime win against the Philadelphia 76ers. That was one of two wins for Houston as they also beat the Phoenix Suns earlier in the week. Following last week’s games, Smith now leads all rookies in rebounding at 7.0 rebounds per game.
No. 3: Jaden Ivey, Detroit Pistons
Previous week’s ROTY ranking: 3rd (-)
Last Week: Games played - 3, Games won - 2, Games lost - 1
Overall: Games played - 22, Games won - 7, Games lost - 15
Last Week: PPG - 12.0, RPG - 3.7, APG - 4.0, SPG - 1.3, BPG - 0.0
Overall: PPG - 15.6, RPG - 4.7, APG - 4.2, SPG - 1.1, BPG - 0.3
Last Week: FG% - 33.3%, 3PT% - 25.0%, FT% - 71.4%
Overall: FG% - 41.1%, 3PT% - 30.8%, FT% - 73.5%
Detroit Pistons point guard Jaden Ivey struggled with efficiency last week but he still finished with double-digit points in all three games. This includes a 16-point, six-assist game versus the Dallas Mavericks. It also includes a 10-point, six-rebound, three-assist and a three-steal game versus the Memphis Grizzlies.
Overall, Ivey continues to put up the most well-rounded stats amongst rookies excluding Paolo Banchero. Ivey also helped the Pistons win two of their three games last week with wins over the Mavs and the Miami Heat.
No. 2: Bennedict Mathurin, Indiana Pacers
Previous week’s ROTY ranking: 1st (↓1)
Last Week: Games played - 4, Games won - 1, Games lost - 3
Overall: Games played - 24, Games won - 13, Games lost - 11
Last Week: PPG - 14.5, RPG - 2.8, APG - 1.3, SPG - 0.8, BPG - 0.0
Overall: PPG - 18.3, RPG - 3.8, APG - 1.5, SPG - 0.6, BPG - 0.1
Last Week: FG% - 31.0%, 3PT% - 0.0%, FT% - 78.6%
Overall: FG% - 41.6%, 3PT% - 37.5%, FT% - 80.1%
Indiana Pacers shooting guard Bennedict Mathurin had an extremely rough time shooting the ball last week. Mathurin, who had been shooting 41.7% from deep through the first 20 games, missed all 13 of his 3-point attempts last week.
He still scored in double figures in all four games, including one 22-point performance against the Sacramento Kings. However, his shooting struggles move him out of the top spot in the ROTY race for now.
No. 1: Paolo Banchero, Orlando Magic
Previous week’s ROTY ranking: 2nd (↑1)
Last Week: Games played - 4, Games won - 0, Games lost - 4
Overall: Games played - 18, Games won - 2, Games lost - 16
Last Week: PPG - 17.8, RPG - 5.5, APG - 4.8, SPG - 0.8, BPG - 0.3
Overall: PPG - 21.7, RPG - 6.8, APG - 3.8, SPG - 0.8, BPG - 0.6
Last Week: FG% - 40.0%, 3PT% - 14.3%, FT% - 73.5%
Overall: FG% - 44.9%, 3PT% - 24.6%, FT% - 73.0%
Orlando Magic forward Paolo Banchero had a couple of off-shooting nights last week. However, he still led all rookies in scoring at 17.8 points per game. This included scoring 20-or-more points in three out of four games. He also had a near triple-double in one of those games against the Milwaukee Bucks, recording 20 points, 12 rebounds and seven assists.
While the Magic (5-20) continue to struggle, fortunately for Banchero, winning games doesn’t play a huge role in the ROTY race and he is still the most productive all-round rookie this season.
For last week's ROTY ladder, click here.
Guess the Lakers players!
