NBA Rookie of the Year Watch: Week 8
We are now well into December and also well into the NBA season.
It’s time for another update on the leaders top first year players as they chase the Rookie of the Year award.
Paolo Banchero, F, Orlando Magic
The top overall draft pick has continued to amaze this past week as he’s helped the Magic to a winning streak.
Banchero played four games this week and has scored 20 points or more in each, leading the Magic to a 3-1 record over that span.
Two of those games also ended in double-doubles as Banchero corralled 12 rebounds in both games.
Banchero already has five 20-point outings in his six games played this month as he continues to be the favorite for the Rookie of the Year award while also helping the Magic start to turn their season around.
Bennedict Mathurin, G, Indiana Pacers
Mathurin was another rookie who finished with a consistent week over his four games played.
The Pacers guard put up double digit points in every game he played in as Indiana won half of its match ups during the week.
His best performance came against the Washington Wizards where Mathurin came away with 18 points and eight rebounds in a win.
While he hasn’t had a 20-point game this month, Mathurin has hit double-digits in every game he’s played in during the month of December.
Jaden Ivey, G, Detroit Pistons
Ivey has also put up some solid scoring nights this past week despite a lack of team success.
The Pistons only won one of four games this week, but Ivey scored in double-digits in every game.
Ivey’s highest scoring game was against the Los Angeles Lakers on Saturday where he came away with 16 points.
Like Mathurin, Ivey has been a consistent double-digit scorer throughout the month with an average of 11.6 points per game in December.
Keegan Murray, F, Sacramento Kings
Murray finished last month slow, but has turned it on as of late.
The Kings came out with victories in half of their four contests this week with Murray leading the way in most of those games.
Murray had two 18-point nights with one of those days also seeing him come away with seven rebounds.
The Kings forward is currently averaging 16.8 points this month.
Logan Bourandas is a senior majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact him, email lxb5412@psu.edu.
