NBA Rookie Ladder: 5 frontrunners for the prestigious award featuring Paolo Banchero, Bennedict Mathurin, and more
The NBA Rookie of the Year award is a great honor for every young player in the league. The 2022-23 season has many potential candidates for the award and it will be interesting to see who wins it.
Paolo Banchero, the first overall pick in the 2022 NBA draft, has been amazing so far. Despite his great performances and dominance, other young players have also done a great job and could win the prestigious award.
This article will talk about five frontrunners for the Rookie of the Year award.
Paolo Banchero has been the best NBA rookie so far
Paolo Banchero has scored 20 points or more in every game so far this season. He opened his rookie campaign by dropping 27 points, nine rebounds and five assists against the Detroit Pistons.
The Orlando Magic forward leads all NBA rookies in scoring and is also one of the best rebounders and shot blockers. His shot selection could be better, but there is no doubt that it will improve over time.
Season averages: 22.8 points, 7.5 rebounds, 3.0 assists, 0.8 steals, 1.5 blocks
Bennedict Mathurin has been great for Indiana Pacers
Bennedict Mathurin was the sixth overall pick in the draft and he's been fantastic so far. The Indiana Pacers swingman ranks second in scoring among rookies. He's been quite efficient as well, shooting 48.4% from the field, including 42.9% from beyond the arc.
The 6-foot-6 NBA rookie has played more than 30 minutes in just one contest. However, he used his minutes to bring the Pacers their only victory so far in the season by scoring 27 points on 10-for-18 shooting.
Season averages: 22.3 points, 5.8 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 0.5 steals
Jaden Ivey is another efficient scorer
Jaden Ivey was the fifth overall pick for the Detroit Pistons. He's appeared in all four games so far and has been a great all-around player. The 6-4 guard is way ahead of other NBA rookies in assists per game.
Ivey joined Grant Hill as the only rookie in Pistons history to have 50 points, 15 rebounds and 15 assists in the first three games of their career. While his individual performances haven't translated into wins yet, it's only a matter of time before this happens.
Season averages: 16 points, 4.3 rebounds, 5.5 assists, 1.5 steals
Jabari Smith Jr. is a fantastic big man
It's been more than a decade since a big man won the NBA Rookie of the Year award. However, Jabari Smith Jr. has looked great so far and win the prestigious award at the end of the season.
The 6-10 big man is a fantastic rebounder and shot blocker. His scoring average has been relatively high as well, but his shooting splits have to improve. Despite being one of the tallest players on the floor, the Rockets rookie has only converted 35.7% of his field goals so far.
Season averages: 15.3 points, 7 rebounds, 1.3 assists, 1.8 blocks
Keegan Murray is a new King
Keegan Murray has already won the NBA Rookie of the Year award. However, this was done in the NBA 2K23 simulation of the 2022-23 season. He now has to prove that he can do it in real life as well.
Murray missed the season opener for the Sacramento Kings and has only appeared in two games so far. However, he's been one of the most efficient scorers, converting 54.2% of his total shots, including 43.8% on long-range shots.
Season averages: 17.5 points, 4.5 rebounds, 1 assist, 0.5 steals, 1.0 block