Duke Basketball One-And-Done Climbs NBA Rookie Ladder

Dallas Mavericks starting center Dereck Lively II won't likely give Duke basketball a second straight NBA Rookie of the Year winner after Paolo Banchero took home the award last season. It'll probably come down to two other 7-footers in the Oklahoma City Thunder's Chet Holmgren and San Antonio Spurs' Victor Wembanyama.

Even so, if the season ended today, it looks as though Lively would probably gift the Blue Devils consecutive NBA All-Rookie First Team selections for the first time since Jayson Tatum (2018), Marvin Bagley III (2019), and Zion Williamson (2020) provided Duke basketball representation in that department three years in a row.

On Wednesday, in the latest update to the Kia Rookie Ladder, NBA.com's Steve Aschburner bumped Lively up one notch to No. 5 overall. Holmgren overtook Wembanyama for the top spot this week; those towering big men are followed by Miami Heat forward Jaime Jaquez Jr. and Charlotte Hornets forward Brandon Miller.

Here's how Aschburner summarized Dereck Lively II's recent work and overall performance as the No. 12 pick from the 2023 NBA Draft:

"Back from an ankle sprain that cost him four games, Lively had 20 and 10 against the Phoenix Suns [on Christmas Day], missed only one of nine shots and the Mavs won. They are 17-7 when he plays, 1-5 when he sits. 'He has been playing like he has been in the league for 10 years already,' teammate Luka Doncic said."

The roll gravity with Dereck Lively impacts a defense so much

That’s why I don’t care if Mr. Lively never showcases the 3 point shot he has

This terrifies defenses pic.twitter.com/D0FWnBVptC
— Mavs Film Room 🐴🎥 (@MavsFilmRoom) December 26, 2023

Through his 24 appearances (23 starts), the 19-year-old Philadelphia native is averaging 9.4 points, 7.8 rebounds, and 1.5 blocks while shooting 74.5 percent from the field.

Lively and the Mavericks (18-12) next face the Cleveland Cavaliers (17-13) in Dallas at 8:30 p.m. ET Wednesday.

List of Every Blue Devil Currently in the NBA

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