Victor Wembanyama, the greatest NBA rookie of all time, isn’t going to win every game at the 2023-24 Kia Rookie Ladder after all.
Even though it seems unlikely, San Antonio’s long-term project player is still the most interesting player to casual fans in the league. However, Oklahoma City’s Chet Holmgren has been this season’s more efficient and successful rookie. Because of this, the Thunder 7-footer is at the top of this week’s list.
Weekly review
Wembanyama still has more “counting stats,” but Holmgren has filled the OKC center spot in a smooth and calm way that can’t be denied. Now, Holmgren is the best shot in NBA history and present (56.5% FG, 46% 3-pointers, and 90.7% free throws made), with a score of 50-40-90.
After that comes winning. The Thunder are 10-4 and have won their last five games. On the other hand, the Spurs are 3-11 and seem intent on getting the No. 1 pick again next June. Only sometimes are rookies rated by how well their team does. But when the W-L gap is big, it’s a good way to break a tie.
The committee will let other people argue about the “redshirt rookie vs. true newbie” points that will be made about Holmgren and Wembanyama. It doesn’t make sense, given how different first-year players have been in the past and how different they are now. It’s hard to figure out the pros and cons of going from prep school to the NBA, being a one-and-done player, going to college for four years, playing professionally overseas, or getting experience in the NBA G League.
Fans in Houston and Portland and fans who keep an eye on players in general still want to see more from Scoot Henderson and Amen Thompson. The third and fourth draft picks have been injured since November 1 and are unable to participate.
How to watch the story
Most of you would be lying if you said you knew anything about Craig Porter Jr. from Cleveland before last weekend. The point guard from Terre Haute, Indiana, joined the Cavaliers on a two-way deal as an unsigned free agent. He started his career at Vincennes University and played for three years at Wichita State. He’s not connected to other NBA Porters like Howard, Terry, Otto, Michael, or the Kevins. He turns 24 in February.
But over the last week, he’s been a huge surprise for Cleveland. Because Ricky Rubio and Ty Jerome were out, Porter got 12 points against Detroit, 21 points against Denver, and 12 points at Philadelphia. He was used as an insurance policy. He made 17 of the 28 shots he took, set up 18 others, and helped the Cavaliers win all three.
Before that? There were six games, 51 minutes, and 19 points.
Rank most recently
(All stats through Tuesday, November 21)
1. Chet Holmgren, Oklahoma City Thunder
- Season stats: 17 PPG, 7.8 RPG, 2.6 APG
- Last Ladder: 2
- Draft pick: No. 2 (2022)
Come for Holmgren’s cool 3-pointer that tied the game at Golden State and stay for the rest of his line that night. After his 37-minute stint, he had 36 points, 10 rebounds, 5 assists, and had made 14 of 22 shots. In addition, he made two steals and two blocks. Kevin Durant in 2007–08 was the only other rookie in Seattle/Oklahoma City history to match those numbers.
2. Victor Wembanyama, San Antonio Spurs
- Season stats: 18.6 PPG, 9.1 RPG, 2.6 BPG
- Last Ladder: 1
- Draft pick: No. 1
Along with 3.3 blocks, the Spurs‘ big man had a week similar to what he did all season. But he only made 40% of his shots and 22.2% of his three-point shots. Also, his plus/minus kept going the wrong way. Holmgren has a +73 record through 14 games and a -114 record.
3. Ausar Thompson, Detroit Pistons
- Season stats: 11.3 PPG, 10.1 RPG, 3.2 APG
- Last Ladder: 3
- Draft pick: No. 5
Still adds to a lot of different stat areas, such as fouls. He scored 5 points a night and now has 55, which is the most in the NBA. As aggressive as he has been on defense, he needs to be on attack, too. That’s why he spent some time on the bench in Cleveland.
4. Jordan Hawkins, New Orleans Pelicans
- Season stats: 13 PPG, 4.0 RPG, 2.1 APG
- Last Ladder: 4
- Draft pick: No. 14
He helped the Pelicans beat the Nuggets, the Wolves, and the Kings in a row. Shooter from UConn has been talking to some of the best shooters in the game, like Stephen Curry, Kyle Korver, and Ray Allen. “To be great, you have to learn from the greats that came before you,” he told The Athletic not long ago.
5. Dereck Lively II, Dallas Mavericks
- Season stats: 8.6 PPG, 7.5 RPG, 1.2 BPG
- Last Ladder: 5
- Draft pick: No. 12
This past week, the young Mavs center grabbed an average of four offensive boards. His team’s record is +3.5 this season, even though Dallas’s defense has dropped to 25th in the league in rating (118.2).
The Next Five:
6. Brandon Miller, Charlotte Hornets
- Season stats: 13.6 PPG, 4.3 RPG, 1.9 APG
- Last Ladder: 6
- Draft pick: No. 2 overall
Scored 29 vs. NYK but -7 in defeat. Scored nine vs. Celtics, +22 in victory.
7. Bilal Coulibaly, Washington Wizards
- Season stats: 8.5 PPG, 3.9 RPG, 1.9 APG
- Last Ladder: 9
- Draft pick: No. 7
Shot 57.9% (57.1% from arc) last week and earned praise from key Bucks.
8. Jaime Jaquez Jr., Miami Heat
- Season stats: 9.6 PPG, 3.4 RPG, 2.3 APG
- Last Ladder: 7
- Draft pick: No. 18
Earning big fourth-quarter minutes, scored 19 vs. Bulls in a bounce-back game.
9. Keyonte George, Utah Jazz
- Season stats: 8.5 PPG, 2.7 RPG, 5.4 APG
- Last Ladder: 8
- Draft pick: No.16
Jazz point guards have more responsibility than most rookies but seek efficiency.
10. Craig Porter, Jr., Cleveland Cavaliers
- Season stats: 7.1 PPG, 2.2 RPG, 2.7 APG
- Last Ladder: Not ranked
- Draft pick: Undrafted
An injured two-way player has recorded 15 PPG and 60.7% FG in three victories.
