'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,/9j/4AAQSkZJRgABAQAAAQABAAD/2wCEAAMDAwMDAwQEBAQFBQUFBQcHBgYHBwsICQgJCAsRCwwLCwwLEQ8SDw4PEg8bFRMTFRsfGhkaHyYiIiYwLTA+PlQBAwMDAwMDBAQEBAUFBQUFBwcGBgcHCwgJCAkICxELDAsLDAsRDxIPDg8SDxsVExMVGx8aGRofJiIiJjAtMD4+VP/AABEIAAYACgMBIgACEQEDEQH/xABiAAEBAQAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAABggQAAIBBAICAwAAAAAAAAAAAAECAwAEBQYREhYhQUJDAQEBAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAEBREAAQQDAQAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAQIDBBEAIYKh/9oADAMBAAIRAxEAPwDNmn458LocuxQXkyFb6XHLadUljiZrcXLzRM47KxIBHv0aiPItp/LOXRT6EhVPHxyACBSlFZJLrwOwCny8qSEhMSKoaKi5dc5//9k='%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
The 2022-2023 NBA ROTY race shifted once again last week, with a new name entering the top five on the back of his consistent defense. Meanwhile, Houston Rockets forward Jabari Smith Jr. fell out of the top five after shooting just 29.6% over three games last week.
So on that note, here’s this week’s ROTY ladder.
#5 Keegan Murray | Sacramento Kings
Previous week’s ROTY ranking: N/A
Last Week: Games played - 3, Games won - 1, Games lost - 2
Overall: Games played - 37, Games won - 20, Games lost - 17
Last Week: PPG - 13.0, RPG - 3.3, APG - 1.7, SPG - 1.3, BPG - 0.7
Overall: PPG - 11.7, RPG - 3.7, APG - 0.9, SPG - 0.9, BPG - 0.6
Last Week: FG% - 63.6%, 3PT% - 78.6%, FT% - N/A
Overall: FG% - 43.7%, 3PT% - 41.0%, FT% - 76.7%
Sacramento Kings forward Keegan Murray has had an up-and-down rookie season. However, even with his inconsistencies, he remains the best 3-point shooter among rookies.
Murray shot 11-for-14 (78.6%) from beyond the arc last week. As a result, he is up to 41.0% from deep on the season while averaging 2.4 made 3s per game. Murray also scored 15 or more points in two of three games last week.
His hot shooting and improved scoring gets him back into the top five in this week’s ROTY ladder.
#4 Walker Kessler | Utah Jazz
Previous week’s ROTY ranking: N/A
Last Week: Games played - 4, Games won - 2, Games lost - 2
Overall: Games played - 41, Games won - 19, Games lost - 22
Last Week: PPG - 7.0, RPG - 8.3, APG - 1.3, SPG - 0.3, BPG - 2.3
Overall: PPG - 6.9, RPG - 6.7, APG - 0.7, SPG - 0.3, BPG - 1.9
Last Week: FG% - 56.0%, 3PT% - N/A, FT% - N/A
Overall: FG% - 70.3%, 3PT% - N/A, FT% - 55.7%
Many of the most highly-touted rookies have struggled with inconsistency all season, particularly on the offensive end. This has opened up an opportunity for one of the most consistent role-playing rookies to enter the top five of the ROTY race.
Utah Jazz big man Walker Kessler’s role has slowly expanded throughout the season. As a result, he is quietly becoming one of the best rim protectors in the entire NBA.
Kessler recorded nine blocks over four games last week, including a six-block performance against the Memphis Grizzlies. Following his strong week, he is now fourth in the entire NBA in blocks per game among qualifying players at 1.9 BPG.
Kessler has also recorded double-digit rebounds in back-to-back games and is still shooting a whopping 70.3% overall for the season.
#3 Jaden Ivey | Detroit Pistons
Previous week’s ROTY ranking: 3rd (-)
Last Week: Games played - 4, Games won - 1, Games lost - 3
Overall: Games played - 40, Games won - 11, Games lost - 29
Last Week: PPG - 14.8, RPG - 4.3, APG - 5.0, SPG - 0.5, BPG - 0.0
Overall: PPG - 15.0, RPG - 4.0, APG - 4.1, SPG - 0.9, BPG - 0.2
Last Week: FG% - 42.9%, 3PT% - 53.8%, FT% - 71.4%
Overall: FG% - 41.1%, 3PT% - 33.3%, FT% - 72.7%
The Detroit Pistons went just 1-3 last week to fall to 11-33 as they continue to sit at the bottom of the Eastern Conference. However, Pistons point guard Jaden Ivey still had a strong week, scoring in double figures in all four games.
Ivey also had five or more assists in three of four games. His week was highlighted by his 20-point, five-assist performance against the San Antonio Spurs.
As usual, inefficiency (42.9% shooting) and high turnovers (2.5 turnovers per game) were problems for Ivey last week. However, Detroit is letting the athletic young guard play through his mistakes. As a result, Ivey remains one of the premier candidates to become the ROTY.
#2 Bennedict Mathurin | Indiana Pacers
Previous week’s ROTY ranking: 2nd (-)
Last Week: Games played - 3, Games won - 2, Games lost - 1
Overall: Games played - 41, Games won - 23, Games lost - 18
Last Week: PPG - 14.0, RPG - 3.7, APG - 1.7, SPG - 1.0, BPG - 0.3
Overall: PPG - 17.1, RPG - 3.9, APG - 1.4, SPG - 0.6, BPG - 0.1
Last Week: FG% - 35.3%, 3PT% - 0.0%, FT% - 90.0%
Overall: FG% - 41.8%, 3PT% - 33.3%, FT% - 81.9%
Indiana Pacers shooting guard Bennedict Mathurin had a down week last week, shooting just 35.3% over three games. He also went 0-for-6 (0.0%) from beyond the arc.
However, he still cleaned up at the free-throw line shooting 18-for-20 (90.0%). Getting to the line consistently has been a key factor in Mathurin remaining an elite scorer for a rookie (17.1 points per game on the season).
His week was highlighted by two 19-point performances against the Philadelphia 76ers and the Portland Trail Blazers. Indiana also went 2-1 last week to improve to 23-18 and sixth in the Eastern Conference.
Mathurin’s team now has the best record among any of the top contenders for ROTY.
#1 Paolo Banchero | Orlando Magic
Previous week’s ROTY ranking: 1st (-)
Last Week: Games played - 5, Games won - 3, Games lost - 2
Overall: Games played - 35, Games won - 13, Games lost - 22
Last Week: PPG - 23.2, RPG - 8.0, APG - 3.8, SPG - 1.8, BPG - 0.2
Overall: PPG - 21.2, RPG - 6.9, APG - 3.9, SPG - 1.0, BPG - 0.5
Last Week: FG% - 44.0%, 3PT% - 33.3%, FT% - 77.5%
Overall: FG% - 43.5%, 3PT% - 31.3%, FT% - 75.8%
Orlando Magic forward Paolo Banchero easily had the best week among rookies last week, finishing with 17 or more points in all five games. This included three games with 25 or more points as well.
Banchero’s week was highlighted by his 30-point, nine-rebound performance against the Memphis Grizzlies. He also added a 19-point, 10-rebound double-double in Orlando’s last win over the Portland Trail Blazers.
For the week, Banchero led the Magic to a 3-2 record to improve to 16-26. Orlando is still 13th in the Eastern Conference, but are now just 3.5 games behind the final play-in spot.
All of this continues to bode well for Banchero’s status as the favorite to win ROTY. If the Magic can keep winning, the explosive forward may even have a chance to be selected as an East All-Star reserve.
For last week’s ROTY ladder, click here.
