NBA Rookie of the Year (ROTY) race featuring Paolo Banchero, Bennedict Mathurin and more: November 9, 2022

The race for the 2022-2023 NBA Rookie of the Year award is in full swing. Through the first few weeks of action, we’ve seen a few rookies separate themselves from the pack. However, one rookie in particular still appears to be the clear-cut early-season frontrunner.

On that note, here’s the first edition of this season's Rookie of the Year Power Rankings by Sportskeeda.

No. 5: Tari Eason, Houston Rockets

Previous week’s Rookie of the Year Power Ranking: N/A

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

Overall: Games played - 11, Games won - 2, Games lost - 9

Last Week: PPG - 10.3, RPG - 6.3, APG - 1.3, SPG - 1.3, BPG - 1.0

Overall: PPG - 8.1, RPG - 5.1, APG - 0.7, SPG - 1.1, BPG - 0.6

Last Week: FG% - 54.5%, 3PT% - 66.7%, FT% - 60.0%

Overall: FG% - 45.5%, 3PT% - 50.0%, FT% - 75.0%

Despite being drafted 17th by the Houston Rockets, Tari Eason has outperformed No. 3 pick Jabari Smith Jr. as of late. Eason’s energy has been contagious off the bench as he currently ranks second in this category in steals per game at 1.1 as well as offensive rebounds per game at 2.2.

Eason has also been knocking down his shots from the perimeter at a high rate as he is now up to 50.0% from three on the season on 1.8 attempts per game.

Overall, Eason is already one of the Rockets' most valuable two-way players. If his minutes continue to increase (17.8MPG this season), he might be able to move into the top three.

No. 4: Keegan Murray, Sacramento Kings

Previous week’s Rookie of the Year Power Ranking: N/A

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

Overall: Games played - 8, Games won - 3, Games lost - 5

Last Week: PPG - 5.3, RPG - 4.3, APG - 1.7, SPG - 1.3, BPG - 0.7

Overall: PPG - 12.9, RPG - 4.1, APG - 1.5, SPG - 0.8, BPG - 0.9

Last Week: FG% - 30.0%, 3PT% - 23.1%, FT% - 50.0%

Overall: FG% - 44.8%, 3PT% - 35.3%, FT% - 77.8%

Keegan Murray has officially entered a slump for the Sacramento Kings, scoring seven or fewer points in three straight games. However, prior to that, he looked like one of the steadiest NBA-ready rookies this season.

Murray scored in double figures in his first five games, including one game with 20+ points. Despite his struggles, he also still has a respectable 44.9/35.3/77.8 shooting split for a rookie as he makes the top five.

No. 3: Jaden Ivey, Detroit Pistons

Previous week’s Rookie of the Year Power Ranking: N/A

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

Overall: Games played - 10, Games won - 3, Games lost - 7

Last Week: PPG - 13.3, RPG - 6.3, APG - 3.3, SPG - 2.0, BPG - 1.3

Overall: PPG - 15.0, RPG - 4.9, APG - 3.6, SPG - 1.5, BPG - 0.5

Last Week: FG% - 38.5%, 3PT% - 25.0%, FT% - 85.7%

Overall: FG% - 43.8%, 3PT% - 31.1%, FT% - 72.7%

Jaden Ivey has been stuffing the stat sheet for the Detroit Pistons lately. Last week, Ivey put up a near triple-double in a win against the OKC Thunder with 15 points, 11 rebounds and six assists. Before that game, he had 18 points, six rebounds and three assists against the Cleveland Cavaliers.

The athletic guard’s activity on the defensive end has stood out as well. In three games last week, Ivey totaled six steals and four blocks. This season, he is now leading all rookies in steals per game at 1.5. He is also tied among the rookie leaders in assists per game at 3.6APG.

If Ivey can improve his efficiency and lead the Pistons to some more wins, he may be able to move up the ROTY rankings even more.

No. 2: Bennedict Mathurin, Indiana Pacers

Previous week’s Rookie of the Year Power Ranking: N/A

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

Overall: Games played - 10, Games won - 5, Games lost - 5

Last Week: PPG - 15.5, RPG - 1.5, APG - 3.5, SPG - 0.0, BPG - 0.5

Overall: PPG - 19.4, RPG - 3.7, APG - 2.4, SPG - 0.4, BPG - 0.1

Last Week: FG% - 36.8%, 3PT% - 30.8%, FT% - 86.7%

Overall: FG% - 44.4%, 3PT% - 40.3%, FT% - 86.4%

Bennedict Mathurin and the Indiana Pacers only played two games last week and one was a dud for Mathurin (eight points versus the Pelicans). However, that shouldn’t take away from Mathurin’s elite scoring and shooting to start the season for the Pacers.

Mathurin already has four games with 20+ points and one game with 30+ points for Indiana this season. He has also proven to be an elite shooter for his age, averaging 2.5 made 3-pointers per game on 40.3% shooting from deep. His 2.5-3PG leads all rookies.

The Pacers won both games last week to improve to 5-5 and eighth in the Eastern Conference. So if Indiana’s success continues it should help Mathurin’s chances of winning ROTY.

No. 1: Paolo Banchero, Orlando Magic

Previous week’s Rookie of the Year Power Ranking: N/A

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

Overall: Games played - 11, Games won - 2, Games lost - 9

Last Week: PPG - 25.0, RPG - 9.5, APG - 3.3, SPG - 1.0, BPG - 0.5

Overall: PPG - 23.5, RPG - 8.3, APG - 3.6, SPG - 0.7, BPG - 0.9

Last Week: FG% - 50.0%, 3PT% - 16.7%, FT% - 83.9%

Overall: FG% - 46.1%, 3PT% - 25.6%, FT% - 76.9%

As expected, No. 1 pick Paolo Banchero will take the top spot following an All-Star-level start to his rookie season. This past week, Banchero scored 33 points and 16 rebounds versus the Sacramento Kings, followed by a 30-point and six-rebound performance against the Houston Rockets.

The Orlando Magic may have lost both games but their star forward also made history. Banchero joined NBA legend Shaquille O’Neal as two of the only Magic rookies to score at least 30 points in back-to-back games.

In addition, Banchero has scored 20+ points in nine of the Magic’s 11 games so far. His lowest point total in any game has been 15 which is the average of the third-leading rookie scorer this season (Ivey - 15.0PPG). His 23.5 points and 8.3 rebounds per game are both first among rookies.

Banchero is also tied for first in assists per game among rookies at 3.6. So if he can continue his elite scoring and the Magic can start winning some more games, Banchero may receive some serious All-Star consideration.