NBA Rookie Ladder: Jaquez Jr. Igniting for Miami Heat
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After an exciting first month in the 2023-24 NBA regular season, teams are now settling in as the In-Season Tournament nears. The league’s newest class is getting more and more comfortable, with players finding their groove on both sides of the ball.
Here is the official Draft Digest rookie ladder as we near the NBA’s December slate:
1. Chet Holmgren, OKC Thunder
Holmgren continues to remain the No. 1 rookie so far this year, despite a tough matchup against Minnesota’s 7-foot duo on Tuesday night.
He’s finally dipped below 50-40-90 on the season, falling to a measly 53% shooting overall, 43% from beyond the 3-point line and 87% at the free throw line.
2. Victor Wembanyama, San Antonio Spurs
Wembanyama’s debut NBA season has ben plagued by the things that typically hurt so many rookie campaigns: inefficiencies and turnovers. But there’s no question he’s still been a complete basketball force in every sense.
He’s averaging 19.2 points, 9.5 rebounds and 2.6 blocks per game. And a 21-point, 11-rebound, 6-steal and 4-block performance against the Nuggets on Sunday is proof enough he’s still very much in the Rookie of the Year race.
3. Ausar Thompson, Detroit Pistons
Despite Detroit’s woes as a whole, Thompson continues to stuff the stat sheet on a nightly basis, offering a glimmer of hope for the franchise.
4. Brandon Miller, Charlotte Hornets
To this point, Miller has been a standout for Charlotte, doing just enough off-ball to be a real threat. But with star LaMelo Ball set to miss some time, Miller will likely have to take on more responsibility with the ball in-hands.
On-ball reps should be great for his development in the longterm. But losing his star running mate certainly hurts.
5. Jaime Jaquez Jr., Miami Heat
Jaquez has been a revelation for the Heat in his last five games, averaging 17.6 points on 56% shooting overall. Even more, he’s also averaged 5.0 rebounds, 3.8 assists and 1.2 steals, doing everything for the Heat.
Despite that, Miami is 0-3 in their last three tries. But there’s no question Jaquez has been a major positive for them in their Eastern Conference campaign.
6. Jordan Hawkins, New Orleans Pelicans
7. Dereck Lively II, Dallas Mavericks
8. Keyonte George, Utah Jazz
9. Cason Wallace, OKC Thunder
10. Bilal Coulibaly, Washington Wizards
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