NBA Rookies: Statistical Leaders Through December

We’re nearing the halfway point of the NBA season and rookies are still carving their ways through their debut seasons.

It’s been an impressive start for the 2022 NBA rookie class, who was thought to be a middle of the road class by many before seeing them in NBA action.

Orlando’s Paolo Banchero, the odds-on favorite to win the 2023 Rookie of the Year Award, leads in a variety of categories, including points per game, field goals made, free throws attempted and free throws made.

Banchero is averaging 20.9 points per game this season, and has had one of the better start to a rookie campaign in the last decade or so.

Bennedict Mathurin, Indiana’s rookie and potential Sixth Man of the Year candidate, is the only player putting up a fight in the Rookie of the Year race. Due to Banchero’s injury, the guard leads in total points among rookies with 638.

The two Detroit rookies, Jaden Ivey and Jalen Duren, lead in total assists and total rebounds, respectively. With Cade Cunningham out due to injury, Ives has had more opportunity to lead the offense. And Duren has been a monster on the glass, bringing down 301 total rebounds and 120 offensive rebounds.

Houston forward Tari Eason leads the way with 42 total steals and Utah’s Walker Kessler is out far ahead in total blocks with 66.

Oklahoma City rookie Jalen Williams hasn’t concentrated on one singular stat or skill, but impressively ranks within the top ten in total points, assists, rebounds, steals and blocks.

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