Rookies rarely start off their careers like a rocket ship -- it's usually more like one of those rickety, old wooden roller coasters you're a little bit scared to ride. Sure it has fun moments, but they're interspersed with an overriding feeling of anxiety and unpredictability.
So when we get rookies like Luka Doncic, who, as we've mentioned several times, should have a bit of a leg up on other first-year players given his professional experience, they become the exception rather than the norm. This week's rankings feature two players in particular, Collin Sexton and Marvin Bagley III, who have had more traditional rookie campaigns.
After rocky starts, they both look like they're starting to find their place in the league (Bagley told CBS Sports that the frequency of games and travel compared to college has been a difficult adjustment), and the success is translating to the court. As a result they've both moved up this week, ahead of more consistent performers like Jaren Jackson Jr. and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. From everything we know about rookies, however, both Sexton and Bagley could be back at the bottom -- or even out of the rankings -- next week.
Up and down we go.
1 |
Luka Doncic
Dallas Mavericks SF
|
Last week: 1 | |
2 |
Marvin Bagley III
Sacramento Kings PF
|
Last week: 4 | |
3 |
Collin Sexton
Cleveland Cavaliers PG
|
Last week: 5 | |
4 |
Deandre Ayton
Phoenix Suns C
|
Last week: 2 | |
5 |
Jaren Jackson Jr.
Memphis Grizzlies PF
|
Last week: 3 | |
6 |
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
Los Angeles Clippers PG
|
Last week: 6 | |
7 |
Trae Young
Atlanta Hawks PG
|
Last week: 7 | |
8 |
Allonzo Trier
New York Knicks SG
|
Last week: Unranked | |
9 |
Landry Shamet
Philadelphia 76ers PG
|
Last week: Unranked | |
10 |
Wendell Carter Jr.
Chicago Bulls PF
|
Last week: 10 |