NBA Rookie of the Year Watch: Nov. 13
As the NBA season reaches the November month, we look at the best players so far from the 2022 NBA Draft class.
Paolo Banchero, Orlando Magic
Banchero is an easy favorite for Rookie of the Year so far, averaging 23.5 points per game on a 46.1 field goal percentage. He has shown an ability to use his body to his advantage and has easily been Orlando’s best player so far.
The Magic haven’t gotten off to a good start, but Banchero has been as advertised and proven that he’s been the guy they were looking for when they drafted him first overall. Now it remains to be seen what else Orlando has around him.
Bennedict Mathurin, Indiana Pacers
Mathurin has been a pleasant surprise for the Pacers in the start of their rebuild, averaging 20.7 points per game on a 46.0 field goal percentage with a 43.7 three-point percentage.
Mathurin has injected some fight into the Pacers, who have struggled, though not as much as Orlando, but Indiana having Mathurin next to Tyrese Haliburton for the next few years should be fun to watch. He’s easily become a fan favorite for Pacers fans.
Keegan Murray, Sacramento Kings
Murray has provided Sacramento with a steady presence since his debut, averaging 11.9 points per game on a 44.6 field goal percentage while playing 31.5 minutes per night.
Murray has now moved into the starting lineup for the Kings as they hope he can be part of a trio with guard De’Aaron Fox and center Domantas Sabonis. While he may not immediately end their playoff drought, he’ll try to at least help be in a position to in some point in the future.
Jaden Ivey, Detroit Pistons
While the Pistons have struggled so far, Ivey has impressed with his dazzling passes and presence next to guard Cade Cunningham.
Ivey is averaging 14.9 points per game on a 43.7 field goal percentage and chipping in 3.8 assists and 1.5 steals per game. The Pistons are more entertaining with Ivey on the court with Cunningham, but it also has to translate to wins, though time should be given considering the young team the Pistons currently have.
Jabari Smith, Houston Rockets
Of the top players picked in the draft, Smith has to be the most confusing based on his performances at the start of the season.
Smith is averaging 10.5 points per game on a 30.8 field goal percentage. It looks bad for a guy who many thought should have been the first pick in the draft, but at the same time it is early in his career and the Rockets are not doing Smith any favors by struggling so much to start this season.
Smith has shown flashes of the guy people think he will become, so the bust talk should not even be a discussion right now.
Adam Funk is a second-year in the division of undergraduate studies. To contact him, email aqf5569@psu.edu.
