Rookie Power Rankings: Chet Holmgren tops Wemby; Jaime Jaquez Jr. rises up
As the top players around the NBA settle into another season on the court, the rookie class continues to put up some impressive performances seemingly on a nightly basis.
The group, of course, has been headlined by No. 1 pick Victor Wembanyama and former second pick Chet Holmgren. The two players have distanced themselves some from the rest of the rookies this year after dazzling starts with their respective teams.
Elsewhere, other players have earned significant minutes and put up some productive outings in their roles, either in the starting lineup or off the bench. The class should continue to show out on the court with the season in full swing.
To make sense of it all, we looked at the best recent performances of these first-year players and ranked them in the Rookie Wire Power Rankings. The rankings are not for Rookie of the Year purposes but to illustrate the best players week to week.
Craig Porter Jr., Cleveland Cavaliers
Last Rank: N/A
Stats: 7.1 points, 2.7 assists, 2.2 rebounds
Porter, who is signed to a two-way contract, was thrust into a larger role this week with Donovan Mitchell sidelined due to a hamstring injury. He has scored in double figures in his last three games, including a career-high 21 points on Sunday in a win over Denver. He followed that up with a 12-point, nine-assist effort on Tuesday and had a key layup in overtime to help the Cavaliers beat the 76ers. He has been mostly out of the rotation during those games but has proved himself of late and is showing that he can contribute when called upon.
Brandin Podziemski, Golden State Warriors
Last Rank: N/A
Stats: 6.7 points, 3.9 rebounds, 2.2 assists
After dropping a career-high 23 points, seven rebounds and five assists in a loss to the Timberwolves on Nov. 14, Warriors coach Steve Kerr vowed to play Podziemski every night. He has given the team some strong minutes in the second unit of late with his ability to run the offense, rebound and cut off the ball. Podziemski played sparingly to start the year but appears to have earned the team’s trust and should see a larger role moving forward.
For more coverage on the Warriors, visit Warriors Wire
Keyonte George, Utah Jazz
Last Rank: N/A
Stats: 8.5 points, 5.1 assists, 2.7 rebounds
George has started the last six games for the Jazz, averaging 10 points, 7.7 assists and 3.3 rebounds in that span. He recently put up back-to-back 15-point performances and has performed well since assuming a larger role. He looks to be in control as the point guard and has a good feel for when to dish it to his teammates and when to keep it himself and score. The team likes how George can organize the offense, which is a bit rare for a first-year player this early in the season. But he has emerged as a key player for the Jazz of late and should be in store for a strong rookie campaign.
Dereck Lively II, Dallas Mavericks
Last Rank: 3
Stats: 8.2 points, 7.2 rebounds, 1.3 blocks, 1.2 assists
Lively has emerged as a key piece for the Mavericks. He has started in all but one game this season, as the Mavericks are 5-0 when he reaches double figures. The 7-footer leads the rookie class in field goal percentage (71.0) and is fourth in rebounds, second in offensive rebounding (2.9) and fourth in blocked shots. Lively looks to be the big man the Mavericks have desperately needed and should only continue to contribute the more he plays and develops on the court.
Ausar Thompson, Detroit Pistons
Last Rank: 4
Stats: 11.3 points, 10.1 rebounds, 3.2 assists, 1.7 blocks, 1.1 steals
Despite a recent benching by Monty Williams, Thompson has been incredible for the Pistons. He is fifth among rookies in scoring and ranks among the league leaders in blocks (sixth), total rebounds (eighth) and offensive rebounds (second). He recently became the first player since 1978 to tally at least 115 rebounds, 35 assists, 20 blocks and 10 steals over the first 12 games of his career. The fifth pick has established himself as perhaps the Pistons’ top perimeter defender and one of their rebounders already this season. He has been one of the few bright spots on a team that has lost 12 straight games.
Brandon Miller, Charlotte Hornets
Last Rank: 6
Stats: 13.6 points, 4.3 rebounds, 1.9 assists
Hornets coach Steve Clifford slid Miller into the starting lineup on Nov. 5, and the second pick has remained in that role, averaging 13 points, 3.7 rebounds and two assists on 44% shooting from the field. He produced a career-high 29 points two games ago in a loss to the Knicks and has looked the part of being a top pick. Miller is holding his own on defense for the most part and contributing on offense with his pull-ups, ability to run the floor and 3-point shooting.
Jaime Jaquez Jr., Miami Heat
Last Rank: 9
Stats: 9.6 points, 3.4 rebounds, 2.3 assists, 1.1 steals
Jaquez has scored in double figures in six of his last seven games and is averaging 13.4 points, 3.9 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 1.1 steals on 47.8% shooting from 3-point range over that span. He is solidifying himself off the bench and is coming off a 19-point performance on Monday in a win over the Bulls. Jaquez has shown that he can perform in any role, which should prove extremely valuable for the team as the season progresses. The Heat are 6-0 when he scores in double figures.
Jordan Hawkins, New Orleans Pelicans
Last Rank: 5
Stats: 13 points, four rebounds, 2.1 assists
Hawkins is off to a great start and is one of two rookies with multiple 25-point games (Victor Wembanyama). He is hitting 3-pointers at a record rate, too. He leads the class in 3s per game (2.7) and total 3s (38), which are the most by a first-year player through the first 14 games of a career in history.
The Pelicans have dealt with several injuries to start the year, which has led to Hawkins playing a large role. He has provided the team with some floor-spacing and another high-IQ player on the court. He has been one of the top rookies to start the year and should continue to prove that nightly.
Victor Wembanyama, San Antonio Spurs
Last Rank: 1
Stats: 18.6 points, 9.1 rebounds, 2.6 blocks, 2.5 assists, 1 steal
The Spurs have dropped nine straight games, but Wembanyama continues to put up videogame-like numbers. He flirted with a triple-double on Saturday with 19 points, 13 rebounds and eight blocks, and has had two 25-point games over his last six outings.
It will be worth watching how the Spurs adjust as teams figure him out a bit this season. He is atop teams’ scouting reports and represents a big part of the Spurs’ game plan. Wembanyama may not have insane stat lines each night, but the 7-footer will still be worth watching.
For more coverage on the Spurs, visit Spurs Wire
Chet Holmgren, Oklahoma City Thunder
Last Rank: 2
Stats: 17 points, 7.8 rebounds, 2.6 assists, 2.1 blocks
Holmgren continues to show out nightly with the Thunder. He produced a career-high 36 points and 10 rebounds two games ago in a win over the Warriors to become the third rookie this season with a 30-point game (Victor Wembanyama, Jordan Hawkins). He even hit a game-tying shot at the end of regulation to force overtime.
The 7-footer has been a matchup nightmare for opposing teams in the early going. He has a unique skill set to score at all three levels that has been proven tough to slow down for bigs and smaller players that are switched onto him. Watching him progress this season and finding different ways to contribute will be fun.
For more coverage on the Thunder, visit Thunder Wire
