Cason Wallace Falls Out of Latest Rookie Ladder

Chet Holmgren falling out of the top spot of the NBA's Rookie Ladder wasn't the only Thunder movement on Wednesday. The team's second rookie, Cason Wallace, dropped off the ladder entirely.

Thanks to a 5 game double-double streak, Wemby is back on top of @AschNBA's latest NBA App Kia Rookie Ladder!

Check out the full list in the NBA App!

📲: https://t.co/CHLPBhAKFx pic.twitter.com/FfyxGTllGL
— NBA (@NBA) December 13, 2023

It was a perplexing move considering Wallace's strong play recently, and how he has been a two-way force for a surging Thunder team. He has continued to knock down shots at an extremely efficient rate and his on-ball defense has been elite. Holmgren has been in the spotlight, but Wallace continues to make plays and has a very bright future. He's playing high level basketball on the second best team in the Western Conference.

He has been a spot-starter for the Thunder when anybody is missing due to injury, and recently, he has filled in nicely for Lu Dort. Wallace is coming off of back-to-back double digit scoring outings, and Sunday night against the Jazz, he stuffed the stat sheet. He finished with 10 points, three rebounds, two assists, two blocks and a steal. He had a tremendous impact on both ends of the floor.

Wallace has been a huge lift to the Thunder as a whole and has provided much needed depth to the lineup. He’s averaging 7.6 points, 2.4 rebounds and 1.3 assists while shooting 59.1% from the floor and 52.1% from 3-point range.

Really special defensive possession from Cason Wallace. Whew. pic.twitter.com/r4X3NJ8yNc
— Jackson Frank (@jackfrank_jjf) December 7, 2023

He has been tasked with tough defensive matchups when Dort and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander head to the bench and has continued to rise to the occasion. His awareness and instincts have been as good as advertised and his playing time will only increase as the season wears on.

He was notably passed by Blazers rookie Toumani Camara, who's averaging 6.7 points and 4.7 rebounds on 37.9% shooting and 25.4% from 3-point range.

Wallace doesn't ever seek the credit or attention, though, and will keep doing what's necessary to help the Thunder win basketball games. Carving out a role as a rookie on a good team is impressive enough, and the impact he has made has been overwhelmingly positive.

Look for his minutes, production and offensive aggression to increase with time.

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