NBA Rookie Ladder: 7-Footers Lead in First Ranking of the Season
The NBA's newest crop of shiny rookies are knee-deep in play right now, continuing to feel out the league while improving with each and every game.
Here is the official Draft Digest rookie ladder just a few weeks into the season:
1. Chet Holmgren, OKC Thunder
There’s going to be potential backlash to Wembanyama not occupying the top spot, but OKC’s Holmgren has simply been better in the first small stretch of games.
And he should be, too, with a full year of organizational stability and learning of the system under his belt. But averages of 17.0 points, 8.0 rebounds, 2.7 assists, 1.0 steals and 2.4 blocks per game are not to be undersold. And his 56% shooting overall and 54% 3-point shooting may be the most impressive of all.
The splits, especially the 3-point percentage, are likely to come down at some point. But until then, it’s hard to justify keeping 50/50/90 with potential All-Defense out of the top spot.
2. Victor Wembanyama, San Antonio Spurs
There’s little more Wembanyama could’ve done in his first stretch of games, outside of seeing a few more ranged shots fall. His 19.4 points, 8.4 rebounds, 1.7 assists, 1.1 steals and 2.6 blocks per game are earth-shattering.
And his splits of 46% overall and 32% from beyond the arc are fine for his essential small forward tendencies.
Wembanyama’s only going to get better as time progresses, and if he finds ways to improve in the short term, he’ll lock down the Rookie of the Year race shortly.
3. Ausar Thompson, Detroit Pistons
For as good as Holmgren and Wembanyama have been defensively, Thompson has been right there or better.
At 6-foot-7, the forward has taken on some of the toughest matchups in the NBA, posting 15.4 points, 8.0 rebounds, 3.2 assists, 2.2 steals and 1.6 blocks in his last five games.
Thompson’s outside splits could stand to increase. But otherwise it feels like Detroit has nabbed a legit piece next to star Cade Cunningham.
4. Brandon Miller, Charlotte Hornets
Despite outrage at his choosing second overall in the 2023 NBA Draft, Miller has gotten off to a predictably hot start alongside LaMelo Ball and the rest of the Hornets core.
At 6-foot-8, Miller is going to have ample room to grow as a shooter, slasher and more. And 13.2 points per game is already a strong start.
5. Dereck Lively, Dallas Mavericks
After being drafted No. 12 overall, Lively wasn’t expected to be some massive contributor for Dallas in his first-ever season. But he’s already done more than anticipated, averaging 9.0 points on 78% shooting in 24.0 minutes.
The Mavericks are sitting at 6-1. And with Lively only set to improve as a starter, he’s earned his way into the top five here.
6. Cason Wallace, OKC Thunder
7. Marcus Sasser, Detroit Pistons
8. Jordan Hawkins, New Orleans Pelicans
9. Scoot Henderson, Portland Trail Blazers
10. Keyonte George, Utah Jazz
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