Kia Rookie Ladder: Paolo Banchero leads 1st ranking of 2022-23 (2024)

Kia Rookie Ladder: Paolo Banchero leads 1st ranking of 2022-23 (1)

No. 1 overall pick Paolo Banchero has started strong during his rookie season.

What have you done for them lately — that seemed to be Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s point in the postgame Tuesday night after scoring 34 points to spark Oklahoma City past the Orlando Magic and prize rookie Paolo Banchero.

Beyond his scoring and shooting (12-for-18, 10-for-11 from the line), Gilgeous-Alexander threw some shade at Banchero, the league’s top rookie through the season’s first two weeks. After citing some of the former Duke big man’s attributes, noting “physical, plays inside of his game, he has tools,” the Thunder guard gratuitously added, “Chet Holmgren was the No. 1 pick, by the way.”

It was a nice nod to Holmgren, who actually went to OKC with the No. 2 overall pick but is out for all of 2022-23 due to right foot surgery from an offseason injury. But it was a jab at Banchero nonetheless, and mostly an undeserved one.

Yes, Banchero sputtered down the stretch at OKC, scoring two points on 1-for-5 shooting in the fourth quarter while Gilgeous-Alexander scored 13 to bring his team back from an 11-point deficit over the final seven minutes. Still, it’s clear Orlando has sized up the Seattle native Banchero as the centerpiece of its young core and, despite a recent dip, he’s been playing like one.

That’s why Banchero holds the top rung in this week’s Kia Rookie Ladder.

Thunder coach Mark Daigneault was more generous than Gilgeous-Alexander in assessing Banchero’s play so far and his potential.

“The combination of the size and skill is what makes him unique,” Daigneault said. “He’s very crafty for a young player. He’s got an old soul game.”

Banchero’s performances have been dredging up names from the past, such as this: When he totaled 120 points, 35 rebounds and 15 assists in his first five games, he became the first rookie since Dominique Wilkins in 1982-83 to do so. At 19 — he turns 20 on Nov. 12 — he moved into prestigious company by the time he played at OKC.

we see you rook 🫡

(via @BallyMagic) pic.twitter.com/sBCMSZL4am

— Orlando Magic (@OrlandoMagic) November 2, 2022

Banchero has hit bumps in the rookie road. He’s shooting 28% on threes, his usage rate (29.3) is way beyond any Magic player’s last season and at 1-7, the team Tuesday slipped behind the 2-6 start of 2021-22. Banchero might need a blow – he’s second among the league’s rookies in minutes (33.8) and assists (3.6), while topping the newcomers in scoring (21.8) and rebounding (7.6).

But last week on a stop in Cleveland, Banchero told The Athletic: “Honestly, it’s just really fun. It’s really competitive. Just all the games, all the traveling and stuff, you know, just teaching myself to get the proper amount of rest. Learning my body even more with eating and stuff, so, I’ve loved it so far.”

The Top 5 this week on the 2022-23 Kia Rookie Ladder:

(All stats through Tuesday, Nov. 1)

1. Paolo Banchero, Orlando Magic

Season stats: 21.8 ppg, 7.6 rpg, 3.6 apg
Draft pick: No. 1 overall

When two games scoring 18 and 15 points on 12-for-33 shooting (1-for-7 on threes) qualifies as a slump, you know a rookie has been doing something notable. The No. 1 pick from last June had scored 20 points or more in each of his first six games. His debut line — 27 points, nine boards, five assists — made him only the third rookie since 1969-70 (with Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and LeBron James) to reach 25+, 5+ and 5+ in their first games. If the versatile 6-foot-10 player looked tired in Dallas or OKC this week, it was understandable; Orlando has played six of its eight on the road, and eight overall in 14 days. Up next, though: A seven-game Magic homestand.

Paolo Banchero’s first six NBA games:

27 pts, 9 reb, 5 ast, 2 blk
20 pts, 12 reb, 3 blk
23 pts, 5 reb, 3 ast
21 pts, 4 reb, 2 stl
29 pts, 8 reb, 4 ast, 2 blk
21 pts, 12 reb, 7 ast

🧘🏾‍♂️ pic.twitter.com/8b2v2nhrrJ

— Orlando Magic (@OrlandoMagic) October 29, 2022

2. Bennedict Mathurin, Indiana Pacers

Season stats: 20.4 ppg, 4.3 rpg, 2.1 apg
Draft pick: No. 6 overall

With Indiana down by 17 late at Chicago on Oct. 26, Mathurin rankled some of the Bulls by swiping the ball and attacking the basket, a bad-form type of play that allegedly demonstrated his competitive fire. Coming off the Pacers bench, he tied his worst plus/minus (minus-18 in less than 27 minutes), but he has topped 20 points three times, including 32 at Brooklyn Saturday with 6-for-9 from the arc. “He has tools that really nobody else on our team has and that’s exciting,” Pacers coach Rick Carlisle has said.

.@BennMathurin’s 32 points off the bench are the most by a rookie in franchise history. pic.twitter.com/5t9zWGwhjH

— Indiana Pacers (@Pacers) October 30, 2022

3. Keegan Murray, Sacramento Kings

Season stats: 17.4 ppg, 4.0 rpg, 1.4 apg
Draft pick: No. 4 overall

Murray was considered by many to be the most complete player in the Class of 2022 and it has shown in his across-the-board contributions to the 2-4 Kings. Coach Mike Brown had said of the Iowa native, “He can play with the starters or he can play with the second unit. He is going to be good either way. He has just got a great feel and a great demeanor for a young guy.” After two appearances in reserve, Brown moved Murray into the starting lineup and has used him at both forward spots.

Keegan Murray was BALLING in the @SacramentoKings win dropping 22 PTS on 61.5 % shooting from the field! #NBARooks@keegan3murray: 22 PTS (8-13 FGM) | 2 BLKS pic.twitter.com/3YXFODskc1

— NBA (@NBA) October 30, 2022

4. Jaden Ivey, Detroit Pistons

Season stats: 15.7 ppg, 4.3 rpg, 3.7 apg
Draft pick: No. 5 overall

The Purdue product’s explosiveness and zeal for attacking the rim have set him apart so far, with only Banchero topping him on drives among the rookies. Ivey has been adept at finishing — hitting 71% inside 3 feet — as well as kicking out to teammates spaced on the perimeter. Venturing farther from the basket for shots has been an adventure, though he hit two of his five threes against Golden State and was a plus-15 in Sunday’s victory.

Effortless with the left🫴 @IveyJaden pic.twitter.com/1PzxAE3Kle

— Detroit Pistons (@DetroitPistons) November 1, 2022

5. Jabari Smith Jr., Houston Rockets

Season stats: 11.9 ppg, 6.4 rpg, 0.9 apg
Draft pick: No. 3 overall

One of nine Rockets players age 21 or younger, Smith hit one of those multi-category random superlatives in his first eight games — only rookie to total at least 95 points, 51 rebounds, 10 blocked shots and 17 3-pointers in that particular sample size. An Oct. 24 bench flare-upwith Jalen Green had some Houston fans wondering, competition or friction?

.@jabarismithjr from deeeeeep! pic.twitter.com/GHvZcHbAoc

— Houston Rockets (@HoustonRockets) October 29, 2022

The Next 5:

6. Jalen Duren, Detroit Pistons

Season stats: 7.4 ppg, 6.7 rpg, 0.1 apg
Draft pick: No. 13 overall

More offensive boards (47) in 7 games than Detroit HOFer Bob Lanier.

7. Shaedon Sharpe, Portland Trail Blazers

Season stats: 9.3 ppg, 3.0 rpg, 0.7 apg
Draft pick: No. 7 overall

Minutes ramping up with first start for 50% shooter.

8. Jeremy Sochan, San Antonio Spurs

Season stats: 8.0 ppg, 4.3 rpg, 2.0 apg
Draft pick: No. 9 overall

Normally Rudy Gobert gets rookies at the rim, not vice versa.

9. Tari Eason, Houston Rockets

Season stats: 7.3 ppg, 4.6 rpg, 0.5 apg
Draft pick: No. 17 overall

Houston assistant John Lucas called him “a better Dennis Rodman.”

10. Jake LaRavia, Memphis Grizzlies

Season stats: 7.2 ppg, 4.0 rpg, 0.4 apg
Draft pick: No. 19 overall

Missed two games to illness, but hitting 60% of threes.

* * *

Steve Aschburner has written about the NBA since 1980. You can e-mail himhere, findhis archive hereandfollow him on Twitter.

The views on this page do not necessarily reflect the views of the NBA, its clubs or Turner Broadcasting.

Kia Rookie Ladder: Paolo Banchero leads 1st ranking of 2022-23 (2024)

FAQs

Kia Rookie Ladder: Paolo Banchero leads 1st ranking of 2022-23? ›

Recently named Rookie of the Year

Rookie of the Year
The National Basketball Association's Rookie of the Year Award is an annual National Basketball Association (NBA) award given to the top rookie(s) of the regular season.
Paolo Banchero was the only unanimous selection to the First Team. Rounding out the rest of the First Team were Rookie of the Year runner-up Jalen Williams
Jalen Williams
Jalen Devonn Williams (born April 14, 2001), nicknamed J-Dub, is an American professional basketball player for the Oklahoma City Thunder of the National Basketball Association (NBA).
https://en.wikipedia.org
, Bennedict Mathurin, Kessler
Kessler
Walker Ross Kessler (born July 26, 2001) is an American professional basketball player for the Utah Jazz of the National Basketball Association (NBA).
https://en.wikipedia.org
and Murray. The Second Team featured Jalen Duren, Tari Eason, Jaden Ivey, Jabari Smith Jr.

Who is the best NBA rookie of the year 2022 23? ›

With their first NBA seasons completed, Magic forward and Rookie of the Year Paolo Banchero, Jazz center Walker Kessler and Kings forward Keegan Murray headline the 2022-23 All-Rookie First Team.

Did Paolo Banchero win Rookie of the Year? ›

Orlando Magic forward Paolo Banchero was named the overwhelming winner of the NBA's Rookie of the Year award on Tuesday. Banchero dominated the voting, claiming 98 of 100 first-place votes and 494 out of a possible 500 points.

Will Paolo Banchero be an All Star? ›

Paolo Banchero, a forward for the Orlando Magic (30-25), made his all-star debut in the NBA's 73rd All-Star Game. The Eastern Conference dominated the Western Conference 211-186 Sunday night. Banchero was a part of all-star history on Sunday.

Which NBA rookies are doing well? ›

Here's an updated look at Yahoo Sports' rookie rankings for the 2023-24 season.
  • Chet Holmgren, Oklahoma City Thunder. ...
  • Victor Wembanyama, San Antonio Spurs. ...
  • Ausar Thompson, Detroit Pistons. ...
  • Jordan Hawkins, New Orleans Pelicans. ...
  • Dereck Lively II, Dallas Mavericks. ...
  • Jaime Jaquez Jr., Miami Heat. ...
  • Brandon Miller, Charlotte Hornets.
Dec 4, 2023

Who will win the rookie of the year in NBA 2024? ›

NBA Rookie of the Year odds FAQ

San Antonio's Victor Wembanyama won the 2024 NBA ROY.

Who won the rookie of the year 2022-2023? ›

Paolo Banchero

How many points did Paolo Banchero average in his rookie season? ›

By averaging 20.0 points, 6.9 rebounds and 3.7 assists in his rookie campaign, Banchero joined Abdul-Jabbar, Robertson, Michael Jordan, Luka Doncic, Larry Bird, Sidney Wick, Elgin Baylor and Blake Griffin as the only players to average at least 20/6.5/3.5 in their first year.

How much is Paolo Banchero rookie contract? ›

2022-2025 Rookie

Paolo Banchero signed a 4 year , $50,158,769 contract with the Orlando Magic, including $50,158,769 guaranteed, and an average annual salary of $12,539,692. In 2024-25, Banchero will earn a base salary of $12,160,800, while carrying a cap hit of $12,160,800 and a dead cap value of $12,160,800.

Are Paolo Banchero cards worth anything? ›

The price range was from $0.5 for 2022 Donruss The Rookies #1 Paolo Banchero by Donruss from 2022 to $2327.0 for 2022 Panini Prizm Prizms Orange #249 Paolo Banchero /49 PSA 10 by Panini Prizm from 2022.

Who is the oldest player to be an All Star? ›

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar is the oldest in an All-Star Game.

Who is the youngest player to ever be an All Star? ›

Kobe Bryant is the youngest in an All-Star Game. He was 19 years and 169 days old against the NBA Eastern Conference All-Stars on February 8, 1998.

Has anyone been an All Star in their rookie year? ›

Making the NBA All Star Team in the rookie season is no easy task, only two players in the likes of Yao Ming (Houston Rockets 2002/03) and Ben Simmons (Los Angeles Clippers 2010/11) have managed to make the all star game in their rookie season in the 21st century.

Who are the top rookies of the 23 24 NBA team? ›

Victor Wembanyama, Chet Holmgren headline 2023-24 Kia NBA All-Rookie teams. Victor Wembanyama, Chet Holmgren, Brandon Miller, Jaime Jaquez Jr. and Brandin Podziemski lead the All-Rookie First Team picks.

Who is the NBA Rookie of the Year favorite? ›

2024-25 NBA Rookie of the Year odds: Zach Edey favored; Reed Sheppard rising | FOX Sports.

Who is the NBA all rookie in 2024? ›

It was no surprise, given that Wembanyama also was the unanimous choice for rookie of the year from the same panel of 99 voters who cast ballots for the league's awards this season. Joining Wembanyama on the first team were Oklahoma City's Chet Holmgren, Charlotte's Brandon Miller, Miami's Jaime Jaquez Jr.

NBA Rookie Power Rankings: Paolo Banchero ...ClutchPointshttps://clutchpoints.com ›

Orlando Magic forward Paolo Banchero has been the top rookie pretty much all season, but his competition is gaining steam.
Sam Vecenie highlights the six-player race for the All-Rookie first team, Charlotte's discovery in the middle and more.
Through the first 10-plus games of the 2022 rookie class, Paolo Banchero and Bennedict Mathurin look head and shoulders above their competition.

Who won the rookie of the year in NBA 23? ›

SAN ANTONIO (May 6, 2024) – The NBA today announced that Victor Wembanyama has been named the 2023-24 Kia NBA Rookie of the Year. He is the first French player to win Rookie of the Year and third Spur to capture the award, joining Tim Duncan and David Robinson.

Who is the favorite for NBA Rookie of the Year? ›

Who is the NBA Rookie of the Year favorite? Memphis Grizzlies' rookie, and No. 9 overall pick, Zach Edey is the favorite to win NBA Rookie of the Year. His odds are as short as +500, implying a 16.67% probability he'll win the award.

Who was the rookie of the year in the 2022 NBA? ›

Best of Scottie Barnes from the 2021-22 NBA Regular Season

Scottie Barnes put up 15.3 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 3.5 assists per game to win the 2022 Kia Rookie of the Year award.

Who can win Rookie of the Year NBA? ›

Here are the latest odds to win the NBA Rookie of the Year award as of July 11, 2024: Zach Edey (+600) Alexandre Sarr (+650) Zaccharie Risacher (+700)

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