Rookie Power Rankings: Paolo Banchero flexing early as the No. 1 pick
The incoming rookie class has had two weeks of games in the NBA and has produced some remarkable performances already in the early going of the season.
No. 1 overall pick Paolo Banchero is off to a tremendous start and is seemingly showing out on a nightly basis. He scored at least 20 points in each of his first six games, becoming the first rookie to do so since Grant Hill (Nov. 4-15, 1994).
Elsewhere, several other first-year players have put up strong starts to the season. The group is looking to live up to expectations in the early going with several individuals emerging as key players for their respective teams around the league.
To make sense of it all, we took a look at the best recent performances of these first-year players and ranked them in the latest edition of the Rookie Wire Power Rankings. The rankings are not for Rookie of the Year purposes but, rather, to illustrate the best players week to week.
Christian Braun, Denver Nuggets
Photo by Jamie Schwaberow/Getty Images
Stats: 4.6 points, 2.9 rebounds, 1.1 assists
Christian Braun is quickly becoming a favorite of Nuggets head coach Michael Malone. While his numbers don’t jump off the page, Braun has scored at least nine points three times and has been a strong rebounder to this point. He seemingly makes all of the right plays and has played smart basketball when called upon. He likely won’t be in the running for any end-of-season awards given his low usage, but Braun should absolutely emerge as a key player for the Nuggets.
Jalen Duren, Detroit Pistons
Photo by Rick Osentoski/Getty Images
Stats: 7.4 points, 6.7 rebounds, 1.3 blocks
Jalen Duren has been a nice addition to the Pistons‘ second unit. He is posting 7.4 points off of the bench and has proven to be a great rim protector and rebounder to this point, ranking second in the class. He is also giving the Pistons plenty of second-chance opportunities and is 14th among all players in offensive rebounds per game (3.1). He is dealing with an ankle injury after landing awkwardly on it following a blocked shot, but the 13th pick has been great to watch given his activity and energy.
Tari Eason, Houston Rockets
Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
Stats: 7.1 points, 4.9 rebounds, 1 steal
Tari Eason has performed well in a smaller role off of the bench for the Rockets. He is averaging just under 17 minutes per game and is doing a little bit of everything on the court in that time. In fact, he is averaging 15.2 points, 10.4 rebounds, 2.1 steals, 1.7 blocks and 1.4 assists per 36 minutes. He provides immense energy and effort and is often flying around on the court. He is emerging as a valuable player off the bench for the Rockets and should continue to contribute on a nightly basis.
For more coverage on the Rockets, visit Rockets Wire
Shaedon Sharpe, Portland Trail Blazers
Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports
Stats: 8.3 points, 2.9 rebounds
Shaedon Sharpe has emerged as a key player for the Trail Blazers. He has scored in double figures in four of his seven games and has seen a larger role of late with Damian Lillard nursing a calf strain. He has shown great poise to this point and doesn’t look to be someone that last played competitively in high school. He should continue to be a difference-maker as Portland continues its strong start to the season.
Jabari Smith Jr., Houston Rockets
Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
Stats: 10.8 points, 6.1 rebounds, 1.2 blocks
Jabari Smith Jr. scored in double figures in each of his first six games and is fifth in rookie scoring to this point. He has shined on both ends of the court, from his scoring and shooting to defending at a high level. He is decisive with the ball and often makes the right decisions with the ball in his hands. Smith has struggled to shoot a bit recently but has still emerged as one of the bright spots to this point for the Rockets.
For more coverage on the Rockets, visit Rockets Wire
Jeremy Sochan, San Antonio Spurs
Matt Krohn-USA TODAY Sports
Stats: 7.1 points, 4 rebounds, 1.7 assists
Jeremy Sochan became the youngest player in Spurs team history to start on opening night (19 years, 152 days) and the first rookie to start since Tim Duncan in 1997. He had a slow start after scoring nine points over his first three games but has emerged since then, finishing in double figures in three of his last four. He is known as a strong defender and has flourished on that side of the ball in the early going. His offensive game is coming around, and if that can continue, Sochan has the tools in place to be one of the top rookies this season.
Jaden Ivey, Detroit Pistons
Wendell Cruz-USA TODAY Sports
Stats: 14.6 points, 4 rebounds, 3.4 assists, 1.6 steals
Jaden Ivey has scored in double figures in all but one of his appearances and is second in the rookie class in assists. He is proving to be every bit as advertised as a player that can get to the rim and finish through contact. He has been absolutely electric and has the potential to emerge as a legitimate scoring option on the Pistons behind Cade Cunningham and Saddiq Bey, as a result. The Pistons have a nice, young core and Ivey is proving to be a key part of that group moving forward.
Keegan Murray, Sacramento Kings
Darren Yamashita-USA TODAY Sports
Stats: 15.7 points, 4 rebounds, 1.7 assists, 1.2 blocks
It only took two games for Kings head coach Mike Brown to insert Keegan Murray into the starting lineup, and the fourth pick has shown out in that role. He is emerging as a great floor spacer after shooting 37.2% from 3-point range on 7.2 attempts per game; he ranks 24th in 3s made per game (2.7). Murray is proving to be effective off of the ball and doesn’t need it in his hands to make an impact. It is often rare to see a rookie flourish in that way, but Murray looks to be anything but a rookie in the early going.
Bennedict Mathurin, Indiana Pacers
Kyle Ross-USA TODAY Sports
Stats: 20.4 points, 4.3 rebounds, 2.1 assists
Had it not been for the incredible start by Paolo Banchero, Pacers guard Bennedict Mathurin would likely be all of the talk of the rookie class. He has scored in double figures in every game this season and has scored the most points by a rookie in a game (32) so far this season. Mathurin ranks 17th in the NBA in free throw attempts (44) and has shown an incredible knack for getting to the line and finishing through contact. He has all of the tools to become a top scorer in the league and has shown that in just eight games.
Paolo Banchero, Orlando Magic
Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Stats: 21.8 points, 7.6 rebounds, 3.6 assists, 1 block
Paolo Banchero has been on an absolute tear to begin the season. He scored 20 points in each of his first six games and became the first rookie since Brandon Jennings (2009-10) to score 150 points over his first seven games. He is also getting to the free-throw line seemingly at will, ranking seventh in attempts among all players. Banchero is proving exactly why the Magic took him first and looks to be the runaway favorite to win Rookie of the Year in the early going.
