NBA Rookie of the Year rankings: Scoot surging, Wemby wows

As the calendar flips over to 2024, so too do a couple of spots in an enthralling Rookie of the Year race. Victor Wembanyama and Chet Holmgren remain in a near deadlock for top billing, but a fresh, new entry looks primed to scoot past much of the talented field at his current pace.

5. Scoot Henderson, Portland Trail Blazers

2023-24 season averages

Previous: N/A

It was only a matter of time before the third overall pick from the 2023 draft made his way onto the rookie rankings. Since returning from a nine-game ankle injury, Henderson has shown why he was such a highly touted prospect. Among all rookies, Scoot is first in assists per game (five), fifth in points per game (12.3), and fourth in free-throw attempts per game (2.6).

Scoot, like many young guards, struggled to deal with the size, speed, and athleticism in the league at the beginning of the season. However, Henderson is a player capable of getting to the rim, and, since Dec. 1, the 19-year-old has started to show some of that ability, increasing his drives per game to 10.9 – more than LeBron James. The 6-foot-3 guard has also continued to develop his passing, racking up four double-digit assist games in the last month. Henderson’s improved play is a great sign for the Blazers’ organization.

4. Brandon Miller, Charlotte Hornets

2023-24 season averages

Previous: 3

Miller continues to make a name for himself while the Hornets remain in dire straits without LaMelo Ball. Since their lead ball-handler went down with an ankle strain in late November, Miller’s beyond-the-arc stroke has jumped to 40.2%, ensuring Charlotte has another threat from deep without its starting point guard.

However, Miller’s efficiency closer to the basket has taken a hit. In 14 games with Ball healthy, Miller took 40.4% of his shots inside of 10 feet and converted 56.9% of those (4.6 attempts per game). Without Ball, only 29.3% of Miller’s tries are in that same vicinity, and he’s shooting just 38.1% (4.2 attempts per game) on those efforts. Having a capable playmaker available will make life easier for almost any rookie, so these are arguably simple growing pains that should abate as the former Alabama standout further acclimates to creating his own offense at the NBA level.

3. Jaime Jaquez Jr., Miami Heat

2023-24 season averages

Previous: 4

Miami Heat sensation Jaquez has arguably been the most surprising player in the league this season. He captured his second Eastern Conference Rookie of the Month award in December, buoyed by a 31-point performance on Christmas Day against the Philadelphia 76ers.

On top of his raw stats, there are few players who embody the Heat’s culture as much as the former UCLA Bruin. The 22-year-old fits seamlessly into Miami’s rotation, doing whatever it takes to help the oft-injured Heat rack up wins. His 1,055 minutes played is the most of any player on the team and demonstrates the trust he’s earned from head coach Erik Spoelstra.

The most impressive part of the 6-foot-6 small forward’s game is his efficiency. The only rookie who has taken as many field goals as Jaquez and shoots above 50% from the field is Chet Holmgren. Jaquez’s polished footwork makes him one of the more competent mid-range scorers in the league, and he’s knocking down an impressive 58.4% of his shots from five-to-nine feet.

2. Chet Holmgren, Oklahoma City Thunder

2023-24 season averages

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That Holmgren no longer occupies the No. 1 spot shouldn’t be considered a slight against him. The Thunder center is still right in the thick of the rookie race. It’s just that his competition appears to be heating up at the right time.

Holmgren continues to be instrumental in what’s been a triumphant campaign for Oklahoma City so far. In the 10 games since topping our December list, the 7-foot-1 big man has put up 18.6 points, 5.9 rebounds, 3.2 assists, and 2.4 blocks per contest while shooting 59.1% from the floor and 45.7% from distance. On the season, the Thunder’s offense suffers their second-largest drop-off among the team’s rotation players when he sits – a difference of 3.8 points per 100 possessions. That trails only MVP candidate Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and his absurd 11.6-point on-off swing.

In virtually any other season, Holmgren would at this point be a lock for Rookie of the Year. His fit with OKC has been far more effective and streamlined than usually seen with first-years, even though that’s likely bolstered by being on the sidelines for the 2022-23 campaign. However, he might need to hit another gear for individual hardware.

1. Victor Wembanyama, San Antonio Spurs

2023-24 season averages

Previous: 2

Wembanyama claims top spot after a stellar end to 2023 catapulted him above Holmgren. The San Antonio Spurs’ rookie has performed as advertised during his first season in the NBA and is averaging 19.4 points, 10.8 rebounds, and four blocks since the start of December.

The 7-foot-4 Wembanyama is managing to put up these impressive numbers despite playing without a traditional point guard – Gregg Popovich’s Jeremy Sochan experiment has been an unmitigated disaster – and has been among the few bright spots as team sits at 5-30.

The No. 1 overall pick had the best game of his career while celebrating his 20th birthday on Jan. 4 against the Milwaukee Bucks, going toe-to-toe with two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo. The French phenom had 27 points, nine rebounds, and five blocks – accompanied by two crazy highlight dunks – during a four-point loss.