Draft Digest Rookie Ladder: Top Few Solidifying as Season Wears On

With the new year in sight, we now have a fairly good idea of how the NBA’s newest class is fitting in with their respective teams.

Some, namely Orlando’s Paolo Banchero and Indiana’s Bennedict Mathurin, have already taken the NBA by storm. Coming in and immediately making undeniable impacts.

The top group, led by Banchero, Mathurin and Detroit's Jaden Ivey, has mostly gone unchallenged for some time now. While other NBA rookies are certainly making impacts on their respective teams, there's been no legitimate claim to the top three spots yet.

Others have struggled, be it due to age, fit, role and more. But are starting to slowly figure it out as their debut season wears on.

One such rookie who struggled early on is 19-year-old Houston forward Jabari Smith Jr., who’s starting to see his shooting splits rise. Over the last week, Smith Jr. is scoring 13.3 points per game, shooting 42 percent from the field and 30 percent from three.

It might not seem like a massive increase, but the third overall pick in the 2022 Draft is visibly starting to become more comfortable.

Others rookies are finally starting to get their time in the sun. Utah’s Walker Kessler and Atlanta’s AJ Griffin, are starting to demand minutes with their on-court performances.

Walker has been exceptional on the defensive end of the court in the last month, leading to a one-spot jump for him this week. Griffin, who had a big few weeks, is continuing to play solid basketball for the sputtering Hawks.

Other notables include OKC’s Jalen Williams, who continues to shoulder more of the offensive load with each game, and Detroit’s Jalen Duren, who has become a force in the paint recently.

Here is Draft Digest’s full rookie ladder through Dec. 28:

1. Paolo Banchero, Orlando Magic

2. Bennedict Mathurin, Indiana Pacers

3. Jaden Ivey, Detroit Pistons

4. Keegan Murray, Sacramento Kings

5. Jabari Smith Jr., Houston Rockets

6. Jalen Williams, Oklahoma City

7. AJ Griffin, Atlanta Hawks

8. Walker Kessler, Utah Jazz

9. Jalen Duren, Detroit Pistons

10. Andrew Nembhard, Indiana Pacers

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