NBA Rookie of the Year (ROY) 2024: Top 5 candidates ft. Brandin Podziemski (Week 15)

The NBA Rookie of the Year race is getting more exposure than ever before with the upcoming All-Star weekend in Indiana. With the 2024 Panini Rising Stars among the highly sought-after activities in the event, first-year players are pushed into the spotlight. The young hoopers are showing why they deserve to join the league’s other top emerging talents for the game.

Unsurprisingly, this season has been a toe-to-toe battle between the OKC Thunder’s Chet Holmgren and the San Antonio Spurs’ Victor Wembanyama. The other rookies, though, are also making their presence felt with how they’ve helped their respective teams.

Top-five contenders for the NBA Rookie of the Year award for week 15

#5 Jaime Jaquez Jr.

Last week: Games played: 4 (2 wins - 2 losses)
Season: 44
Last Week: 6.3 PPG, 3.8 RPG and 2.0 APG.
Season: 13.1 PPG, 3.8 RPG, 2.7 APG and 1.1 SPG.

Jaime Jaquez Jr. seems to be still groping for form after returning from a groin injury. Before the injury forced him to miss a couple of weeks, he had earned an expanded role with the Miami Heat.

The rookie’s usage has dropped due to the return of Jimmy Butler and Tyler Herro. The acquisition of Terry Rozier from the Charlotte Hornets could also have an impact on Jaquez’s role moving forward. He's fifth in Week 15 of the NBA Rookie of the Year ladder.

#4 Brandin Podziemski

Last week: Games played: 4 (2 wins - 2 losses)
Season: Games played so far:40
Last week: 12.0 PPG, 7.8 RPG and 6.8 APG
Season: 9.5 PPG, 5.6 RPG and 3.6 APG.

Brandin Podziemski has been making his presence felt with the Golden State Warriors.

He has unquestionably become a key part of the Dubs’ bench mob. Podziemski has been showing his chops on both ends of the court. He had a double-double in his last two games to go with his all-out energy.

Podziemski had 15 points and 11 rebounds against the Atlanta Hawks on Saturday.

The Warriors lost 141-134 in overtime. but the rookie was superb. He also had 12 points and a career-high 14 assists versus the Memphis Grizzlies on Friday. He is fourth in the NBA Rookie of the Year race for Week 15.