NBA Rookie Ladder: Chet Holmgren Holds Firm as Jaime Jaquez Rises
The 2023-24 NBA regular season is continuing to ramp up, with the league’s newest class now set to enter a crowded January schedule that is sure to test their mettle.
Here is the Draft Digest rookie ladder as of Wednesday, Dec. 27:
1. Chet Holmgren, OKC Thunder
After a stretch of vitally solid performances for the Thunder, Holmgren is slowly becoming the player to beat in the Rookie of the Year race.
In his last five, he’s poured on 19.2 points, 7.4 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 3.8 blocks per game while shooting 56% overall and 39% from three to help OKC to a 4-1 record in that span.
His season averages hover just under most of those, as he’s putting together one of the stronger two-way performances we’ve seen from a rookie in some time.
Nights like Tuesday’s against Defensive Player of the Year leader Rudy Gobert certainly help.
2. Victor Wembanyama, San Antonio Spurs
While Wembanyama’s numbers on the season are still guady, a pair of missed games in the last week didn’t help his case on this ladder.
In his last five, he’s averaged 16.4 points, 10.6 rebounds, 4.0 assists, 1.8 steals and 4.6 blocks while shooting 44% overall and from three.
He’s undoubtedly still in the ROY race, but has some ground to make up on the ever-evolving Holmgren.
3. Jaime Jaquez Jr., Miami Heat
Jaquez rises one spot to No. 3 after a Christmas Day performance for the ages in a win over the Sixers.
The former UCLA product poured on 31 points on 11-for-15 shooting, tacking on 10 rebounds, two steals and one assists in the process.
On the season, Jaquez is now scoring 13.7 points on a whopping 52% shooting overall, and is hitting on 38% of his threes. Suffice to say, he’s been a surprise as one of the best rookies in this class so far, and a pivotal piece for the Heat.
4. Brandon Miller, Charlotte Hornets
5. Dereck Lively II, Dallas Mavericks
6. Bilal Couliably, Washington Wizards
7. Ausar Thompson, Detroit Pistons
8. Cason Wallace, OKC Thunder
9. Keyonte George, Utah Jazz
10. Scoot Henderson, Portland Trail Blazers
Want to join the discussion? Like Draft Digest on Facebook and follow us on Twitter to stay up to date on all the latest NBA Draft news. You can also meet the team behind the coverage.