Draft Digest Rookie Ladder: Thunder Guard Jalen Williams Continues Dominance

As the 2022-23 NBA season comes to a close, the league’s newest crop has looked to end their debut seasons on a high note.

As the 2022-23 NBA season comes to a close, the league’s newest crop has looked to end their debut seasons on a high note.

One such rookie making a late-season push is Oklahoma City Thunder guard Jalen Williams, who continued to improve with each passing week.

In his last 15 games, the former twelfth overall pick is averaging 19.0 points, 6.0 rebounds, 4.4 assists and 2.1 steals per game while showing 55 percent overall, 45 percent from beyond the arc and 87 percent from the line.

He hasn’t yet surpassed Orlando’s Paolo Banchero, who has held in own over the last week, averaging 17.3 points, 7.3 rebounds and 5.0 assists, but many seem to think a case could be made.

Pacers’ guard Bennedict Mathurin, who made his return to the Indiana lineup this week, continues to hold the No. 3 spot. Utah’s Walker Kessler, who not only ranks well among rookies, but among centers league-wide, is hot on his heels at No. 4.

There’s been a few other surprises over the last week: Dallas guard Jaden Hardy has finally gotten his time in the sun, averaging 18.3 points and shooting 43 percent from beyond the arc in his last four games. And Utah guard Ochai Agbaji has reacted similarly to more opportunity, averaging 16.8 points on 50 percent shooting in his last four.

But for the most part, the ladder is beginning to solidify as the 2022 class’s full body of work is nearly complete.

Below is the full Draft Digest rookie ladder:

1. Paolo Banchero, Orlando Magic

2. Jalen Williams, Oklahoma City Thunder

3. Bennedict Mathurin, Indiana Pacers

4. Walker Kessler, Utah Jazz

5. Jaden Ivey, Detroit Pistons

6. Keegan Murray, Sacramento Kings

7. Jeremy Sochan, San Antonio Spurs

8. Jabari Smith Jr., Houston Rockets

9. Malaki Branham, San Antonio Spurs

10. Jalen Duren, Detroit Pistons

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