NBA Rookie power rankings: New name and Ausar Thompson drops

NBA Rookie power rankings

#2: Chet Holmgren

Like Thompson, Holmgren is at or near the top of pretty much every category for rookies, but unlike Thompson, is doing it on a winning team while shooting the lights out.

Holmgren is averaging 17 points and eight rebounds on insane shooting splits of 55/53/90, while adding 2.7 assists and 2.4 blocks per game. We knew Holmgren was a beast around the rim on both ends, but I didn’t expect his 3-point shooting to be this good this early in his career.

In a game dominated by 3-point shots, dunks and rim protection, Holmgren is arguably one of the best players in the league to build a team around.

#1: Victor Wembanyama

Ok, so we knew it wouldn’t be long before Wembanyama was atop this list, though you could make an argument for Holmgren based on efficiency. Wemby went off this week for 38 points and 10 rebounds against the Suns, wowing Kevin Durant in the process and looking like he might already deserve a spot on the All-NBA team just a few games into his career. Even when his shot isn’t falling, he’s a game-changer on defense, racking up nine blocks in the last three games. His shooting splits aren’t as impressive as Holmgren’s but he is taking five more shots per game and carrying much more of the offensive load for his young team.

It’s hard to imagine anyone displacing Wembanyama from this spot in the power rankings unless his coach holds him out or he gets hurt.