We’re virtually midway by means of the 2023-2024 NBA season. There have been a ton of intriguing storylines this season. LeBron James is 39 years outdated and remains to be averaging 25 factors per recreation. Ja Morant was suspended for 25 video games after which got here again and sustained a season-ending harm. Draymond Inexperienced hit Jusuf Nurkic within the face and was suspended for 12 video games. However from a draft perspective, probably the most intriguing storyline has been the Rookie of the Yr race. Here’s a checklist of the highest NBA rookies nearing the midway level within the NBA common season.
10. Ausar Thompson – Small Ahead – Detroit Pistons
Season Stats: 8.1 PTS, 6.7 REB, 2.1 AST, 44.6 FG%
When the Detroit Pistons chosen Ausar Thompson fifth general within the 2023 NBA Draft, individuals anticipated massive issues. Ausar and his brother Amen have been extremely publicized. The duo of gifted forwards turned the primary siblings to each be drafted within the first prime ten picks – they did it in consecutive picks. The Detroit Pistons hoped Ausar Thompson can be a shot within the arm. Sadly, that hasn’t been the case to date. Thompson is scoring simply over 8 factors per recreation and is taking part in solely 23.6 minutes per recreation. Each his factors and his minutes per recreation have seen a discount in December and early January. Ausar Thompson cracks the checklist resulting from his potential and a few of his early performances. The important thing for each Thompson twins to unlocking their potential can be bettering on their taking pictures. 15.5% from three makes it tough to maintain defenders sincere. It stays to be seen whether or not they can enhance sufficient to justify such excessive draft positions.
9. Toumani Camara – Energy Ahead – Portland Path Blazers
Season Stats: 7.2 PTS, 5.0 REB, 0.9 AST, 41.1 FG%
When the 2023-2024 NBA Draft season began, little to nobody thought that Toumani Camara can be one of many higher rookies within the class. The Suns drafted Camara within the second spherical with the 52nd choose; they might later transfer Camara to the Path Blazers. Camara performed in school at Georgia and Dayton and in his senior 12 months he scored 13.9 factors per recreation. Within the NBA, Camara has shined as the most effective younger two-way gamers. The 6-foot-7-inch ahead isn’t solely good at attending to the rim, he performs a smothering type of on-ball protection. Most second-round picks don’t do what Camara has – play a major function on their workforce early on. Count on much more progress from the 23-year-old.
8. Brandin Podziemski – Capturing Guard – Golden State Warriors
Season Stats: 9.2 PTS, 5.5 REB, 3.2 AST, 46.3 FG%
Brandon Podziemski is benefiting tremendously studying the nuances from the GOAT Steph Curry. The nineteenth choose of the 2023 NBA Draft is taking pictures 40.2% from three. Podziemski performed one 12 months at Illinois from 2021-2022. Then the 6’ 4” guard transferred to Santa Clara. With the Santa Clara Broncos, Podziemski scored 19.9 factors per recreation making him WCC co-Participant of the Yr. The Warriors chosen the sharpshooter with their first-round choose. Though Podziemski has had some success, he has not put up the numbers the Warriors had hoped. Whereas he has hit a rookie wall to a point, he’s a assured participant who maximizes his skills effectively. If Podziemski places all of it collectively, the Warriors might have a brand new weapon, or at worst a commerce chip.
7. Jordan Hawkins – Capturing Guard – New Orleans Pelicans
Season Stats: 10.7 PTS, 2.8 REB, 1.5 AST, 40.1 FG%
Jordan Hawkins has had a really fascinating rookie season to date. Hawkins is scoring over 10 factors per recreation this season for the Pelican. Hawkins, the 21-year-old, was the 14th choose within the 2023 NBA Draft out of UConn. In his rookie marketing campaign, Hawkins has been taking part in an inconsistent quantity of minutes per recreation. When he performs, Hawkins has been nice. The issue is Hawkins has principally seen the bench the final two months. The change is usually due to the return of Trey Murphy III from harm. Hawkins’s recreation is characterised by his wonderful three-point taking pictures – 38%. The rookie’s greatest recreation got here in opposition to Dallas when he put up 34 factors, 5 rebounds, and 4 assists. If Hawkins performs extra he’ll find yourself greater on this checklist.
6. Keyonte George – Level Guard – Utah Jazz
Season Stats: 11.1 PTS, 3.0 REB, 4.5 AST, 37.0 FG%
Keyonte George has been one of many higher rookies within the NBA this season. The 6’ 4” combo guard has been a gradual piece for the Utah Jazz. George went to highschool at IMG Academy after which spent one 12 months at Baylor. With the Baylor Bears, George scored over 15 factors per recreation – adequate for Massive 12 Freshman of the Yr honors. The Texas native was the sixteenth general choose within the 2023 NBA Draft, and shortly proving to be one of many steals of the draft. This season, George has discovered success within the NBA as not solely a very good scorer however an above-average passer. Keyonte George has performed effectively so far as a rookie and has helped propel the Jazz to a file over .500 (as of writing).
5. Scoot Henderson – Level Guard – Portland Path Blazers
Season Stats: 12.7 PTS, 3.1 REB, 5.0 AST, 36.4 FG%
Scoot Henderson had excessive expectations coming into the NBA. And because the season has progressed, he has begun to stay as much as them. The purpose guard was a five-star prospect popping out of highschool. Henderson might have gone to school anyplace he wished to however determined to go the G League Ignite route. With the Ignite, Henderson scored over 16 factors per recreation. His standout play over two years within the G League allowed him to develop into the third general choose within the 2023 NBA Draft. This season, the 6’ 3” Georgia native is scoring over 12 factors per recreation for the Path Blazers and has 4 double-doubles. Henderson’s success this early on is spectacular as a result of he’s nonetheless solely 19 years outdated. If Henderson will get extra minutes and begins to mature, he can become the most effective younger level guards within the league.
4. Jaime Jaquez Jr. – Small Ahead – Miami Warmth
Season Stats: 14.0 PTS, 3.9 REB, 2.7 AST, 51.3 FG%
Discuss concerning the good match, for a workforce identified for his or her tradition, in addition to any workforce within the league. Not solely has Jaime Jaquez Jr. been underrated as a rookie, he’s additionally underrated on his personal workforce. Jaquez Jr. shares the courtroom with gifted teammates –Tyler Herro, Bam Adebayo, Jimmy Butler, and Duncan Robinson. However, Jaquez Jr. has been a strong weapon for the Miami Warmth all 12 months lengthy, regardless of being drafted within the second half of the primary spherical. The small ahead is averaging almost 14 factors per recreation and in December that quantity went as much as 16. Jaquez Jr. isn’t solely a fluid mover of the basketball, however he’s additionally a 36% three-point shooter. Jaime Jaquez Jr. seems to be like he’s going to be a strong two-way participant for a very long time.
3. Brandon Miller – Small Ahead – Charlotte Hornets
Season Stats: 13.9 PTS, 3.7 REB, 2.2 AST, 41.5 FG%
Brandon Miller was the second general choose within the 2023 NBA Draft and proving to be the fitting choose. The Alabama product is simply 21 years outdated and has been a strong weapon for the Hornets. Miller is taking pictures a powerful 38% from past the arc this season. He has additionally proven expertise within the paint. Regardless of his early success, Miller is fifth on the workforce in factors per recreation. Moreover, the Charlotte Hornets are 8-27 this season and Miller isn’t essentially having a big impact to date on wins and losses. Maybe the presence of overrated LaMelo Ball is partially responsible for Charlotte underachieving. Whereas Miller has had some success this season, he’ll look to enhance on consistency and to influence video games extra within the second half of the 12 months.
2. Victor Wembanyama – Middle – San Antonio Spurs
Season Stats: 19.4 PTS, 10.2 REB, 3.0 AST, 45.2 FG%
Victor Wembanyama is the lone brilliant spot for an abysmal Spurs workforce. As of scripting this, the Spurs have a file of 6-30. Wembanyama is averaging a double-double every recreation as a rookie. “Wemby” leads San Antonio in factors per recreation this season regardless of simply turning 20 years outdated. Moreover, Wemby recorded his first profession triple-double of 16 factors, 12 rebounds, and 10 assists in solely 21 minutes. The Spurs offense runs by means of the gifted middle. However Wemby can hardly be thought of a standard middle. Wemby is an above-average three-point shooter and runner of the ground for somebody his measurement. The freaky middle can be a staple of San Antonio for a very long time.
1. Chet Holmgren – Energy Ahead – Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder
Season Stats: 17.9 PTS, 7.3 REB, 2.7 AST, 55.7 FG%
There’s a critical debate as as to if or to not put Victor Wembanyama right here. Holmgren and Wembanyama are statistically comparable. You may argue that as a result of Wembanyama is surrounded by a worse supporting forged, he has not been capable of totally showcase his skills. That being mentioned, the Thunder having a successful proportion of .488 final season and.694 to date this season helps Holmgren, and it’s clear he’s having a huge impact. A great deal of the workforce’s surge ahead from final season might be attributed to the rookie energy ahead. Holmgren has been a dependable scorer and constant and clutch performer for OKC and has solely did not hit double digits in two video games this season. Pairing Holmgren with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Jalen Williams bodes extraordinarily effectively for the way forward for the Thunder.
