Kia NBA ROTY Race: Latest ROTY ladder and power rankings feat. Walker Kessler, Paolo Banchero and more | March 1, 2022-23 NBA Season
The 2023 NBA ROTY race has held steady over the past couple of weeks. However, there have still been many standout rookie performances from the usual suspects since the All-Star break.
On that note, here’s this week’s ROTY ladder.
#5. Jaden Ivey, Detroit Pistons
Previous week’s ROTY ranking: 5th (-)
Last Week: Games played - 2, Games won - 0, Games lost - 2
Overall: Games played - 57, Games won - 15, Games lost - 42
Last Week: PPG - 17.5, RPG - 2.0, APG - 7.0, SPG - 0.0, BPG - 1.0
Overall: PPG - 15.3, RPG - 3.9, APG - 4.7, SPG - 0.9, BPG - 0.3
Last Week: FG% - 41.4%, 3PT% - 41.7%, FT% - 75.0%
Overall: FG% - 42.0%, 3PT% - 33.6%, FT% - 72.5%
Detroit Pistons point guard Jaden Ivey only played in two games last week. However, he still made a strong impact. Ivey had a 25-point performance with five 3-pointers on 69.2% shooting against Orlando. He followed that up with a double-double against Toronto.
Ivey still struggles with inefficiency and taking care of the ball on most nights. Regardless, he continues to tally high point totals, having now scored 10-plus points in 22 straight games. Ivey also remains one of the most well-rounded rookies given his lofty assist totals as of late.
#4. Jalen Williams, OKC Thunder
Previous week’s ROTY ranking: 4th (-)
Last Week: Games played - 4, Games won - 0, Games lost - 4
Overall: Games played - 57, Games won - 26, Games lost - 31
Last Week: PPG - 18.3, RPG - 4.8, APG - 4.5, SPG - 1.8, BPG - 0.0
Overall: PPG - 12.6, RPG - 4.2, APG - 3.0, SPG - 1.3, BPG - 0.5
Last Week: FG% - 53.8%, 3PT% - 33.3%, FT% - 86.7%
Overall: FG% - 51.1%, 3PT% - 32.5%, FT% - 77.2%
The OKC Thunder have been struggling as of late, having lost four straight games. However, Thunder wing Jalen Williams is still playing at a high level. Williams scored 20-plus points in two of four games last week.
He also racked up seven total steals. His week was highlighted by his 27-point, five-rebound, eight-assist, two-steal performance on 56.3% shooting against Sacramento.
Williams’ ROTY chances are currently hurt by his low scoring average for the season (12.6 ppg). However, he has been one of the most efficient rookie scorers all year (51.1%), and he continues to increase his scoring output.
#3. Walker Kessler, Utah Jazz
Previous week’s ROTY ranking: 3rd (-)
Last Week: Games played - 3, Games won - 2, Games lost - 1
Overall: Games played - 60, Games won - 29, Games lost - 31
Last Week: PPG - 8.7, RPG - 15.0, APG - 2.0, SPG - 0.3, BPG - 4.7
Overall: PPG - 8.2, RPG - 8.0, APG - 0.8, SPG - 0.4, BPG - 2.2
Last Week: FG% - 64.7%, 3PT% - 100.0, FT% - 37.5%
Overall: FG% - 70.9%, 3PT% - 100.0, FT% - 53.3%
Utah Jazz big man Walker Kessler continues to prove that he is among the best rim protectors in the entire league. Kessler totaled 14 total blocks over three games last week. He now ranks fifth in the NBA in blocks per game (2.2 bpg) for the season and second over the past month (3.2 bpg).
Kessler has also improved his rebounding as of late, having recorded double-digit rebounds in all three games last week. He has now done so in four straight games overall.
Kessler’s week was highlighted by his seven-point, 18-rebound, seven-block performance against OKC. This included a game-saving block to force overtime.
#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 - 63, Games won - 28, Games lost - 35
Last Week: PPG - 14.7, RPG - 4.3, APG - 2.0, SPG - 1.0, BPG - 0.3
Overall: PPG - 17.1, RPG - 4.1, APG - 1.4, SPG - 0.6, BPG - 0.1
Last Week: FG% - 41.2%, 3PT% - 40.0%, FT% - 85.7%
Overall: FG% - 42.8%, 3PT% - 32.2%, FT% - 83.0%
Indiana Pacers shooting guard Bennedict Mathurin continues to be one of the most lethal scorers among rookies. Mathurin finished with 19 points in two of three games last week. His week was highlighted by his 19-point, seven-rebound, four-assist, two-steal performance on 50.0% shooting against Boston.
Mathurin’s ROTY chances are still boosted by his hot early-season scoring run. However, he has cooled off slightly since then.
Outside of his two 19-point performances last week, Mathurin finished with just six points in his last game against Dallas. As other rookies continue to fill the stat sheet, Mathurin may have to pick things back up to remain in the top two.
#1. Paolo Banchero, Orlando Magic
Previous week’s ROTY ranking: 1st (-)
Last Week: Games played - 3, Games won - 2, Games lost - 1
Overall: Games played - 55, Games won - 23, Games lost - 32
Last Week: PPG - 19.7, RPG - 6.7, APG - 3.3, SPG - 0.7, BPG - 0.3
Overall: PPG - 19.9, RPG - 6.6, APG - 3.6, SPG - 0.9, BPG - 0.5
Last Week: FG% - 46.5%, 3PT% - 0.0%, FT% - 76.0%
Overall: FG% - 42.1%, 3PT% - 27.4%, FT% - 75.4%
Orlando Magic forward Paolo Banchero has been the ROTY frontrunner all season long, and it doesn’t look like that’s going to change anytime soon.
Banchero remains the No. 1 scoring option on a fairly competitive Magic team and the most productive all-around rookie. He scored in double-digits in all three games last week, including two games with 19-plus points.
Banchero’s week was highlighted by his 29-point, eight-rebound, four-assist, one-steal performance on 55.6% shooting against New Orleans. This included Banchero making multiple clutch baskets down the stretch.
For last week’s ROTY ladder, click here.