ORLANDO, FLORIDA – DECEMBER 17: Omer Yurtseven #77 of the Miami Heat is defended by Hassani Gravett #12 of the Orlando Magic at Amway Center on December 17, 2021 in Orlando, Florida, Week 10 NBA Rookie Ladder Power Rankings: Protocols everywhere. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
Welcome back to the weekly rookie ladder update! Each week this season we will look at the race for the top five slots on the Rookie of the Year ballot, cutting the recording period every Sunday.
The issues with the ever-present virus have spread almost fully to the Rookie of the Year race. Cade Cunningham, Evan Mobley, and Scottie Barnes have missed time over the last week, combining to appear in just one game.
The league is ravaged, allowing for increased opportunities for plenty of young players so far, including one who is making his first appearance on this list. What a season this has turned into so far.
In week 10 of the Rookie Ladder standings, COVID-19 complications spread throughout the rankings. The list complicates itself due to extended absences.
Week 10 NBA Rookie Ladder Power Rankings 5. Omer Yurtseven, Miami Heat
5
Omer Yurtseven
Last rank: NA
4.2 points, 4.2 rebounds, 0.6 assists
Shooting splits: .484/.000/.607
This is not just Josh Giddey skepticism, though his zero-point double-double certainly falls into that category. While plenty of players have been out of the lineup, Omer Yurtseven has used his increased role to perform in an outstanding fashion.
Over the last seven games, he is averaging 8.0 points, 10.6 rebounds, and 1.3 assists per game. He has grabbed 12 or more rebounds in five consecutive contests.
Yurtseven may not be a consistent entry onto this list, but while he is currently thriving, it felt like the perfect time to lend a little extra attention to the type of player who may be flying under the radar for fans not regularly checking into Miami Heat games in the middle of December.
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<h2>4.2 points, 4.2 rebounds, 0.6 assists</h2>
<h2>Shooting splits: .484/.000/.607</h2>
<p>This is not just Josh Giddey skepticism, though his zero-point double-double certainly falls into that category. While plenty of players have been out of the lineup, Omer Yurtseven has used his increased role to perform in an outstanding fashion.</p>
<p>Over the last seven games, he is averaging 8.0 points, 10.6 rebounds, and 1.3 assists per game. He has grabbed 12 or more rebounds in five consecutive contests.</p>
<p>Yurtseven may not be a consistent entry onto this list, but while he is currently thriving, it felt like the perfect time to lend a little extra attention to the type of player who may be flying under the radar for fans not regularly checking into Miami Heat games in the middle of December.</p>
<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#222423" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/12/28/nba-rookie-ladder-power-rankings-week-10/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> 4 - 3 </a>
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<img class="wp-image-439890 size-full" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/12/28/nba-rookie-ladder-power-rankings-week-10/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_2133,w_3200/http%3A%2F%2Fhoopshabit.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2018%2F08%2F1361347228.jpeg" alt="NBA Rookie Ladder Power Rankings" width="3200" height="2133" srcset="https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1361347228.jpeg 3200w, https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1361347228-768x512.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 3200px) 100vw, 3200px"><div class="fs-center-img">
<p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:3200px;">ORLANDO, FLORIDA – DECEMBER 17: Franz Wagner #22 of the Orlando Magic looks on against the Miami Heat at Amway Center on December 17, 2021 in Orlando, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)</p>
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<p><span style="color: inherit;font-size: 20px;font-style: italic;font-weight: bold">Week 10 NBA Rookie Ladder Power Rankings 4. Cade Cunningham, Detroit Pistons</span></p><div class="fs-shortcode" data-type="Rank" data-rank="4" data-rank-type="player" data-name="Cade Cunningham" data-team-id="64" data-meta-a="" data-meta-b="Previous: 3rd" data-inner-content=""> <div class="power-ranking remove-native-227"> <div class="order">4 </div> <div class="power-head"> <h3>Cade Cunningham </h3> <h4> <span class="last-rank-title">Last rank: </span><span class="last-rank-info">3</span> </h4> </div> <div class="power-logo"> <img src=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/12/28/nba-rookie-ladder-power-rankings-week-10/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/w_75,h_75,c_fill,g_auto,f_auto/https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.fansided.com%2Flogos%2Fnba%2Fpistons.png"> </div> </div>
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<h2>15.3 points, 6.2 rebounds, 5.2 assists, 1.4 steals</h2>
<h2>Shooting splits: .383/.314/.849</h2>
<p>This is not just about Cade Cunningham finding himself as the first Detroit Piston to enter health and safety protocols. After the initial surge for the number one overall pick with Jerami Grant out of the lineup, Cunningham struggled in his last two games (one of which was this week) before being ruled out.</p>
<p>He shot an abysmal 15.4 percent from the floor against the New York Knicks but was able to add nine points and nine assists to his seven points. While there are currently three players ahead of him, with reasonable health Cunningham still has a chance to ascend. But this rough stretch has hurt him for the time being.</p>
<h2>Week 10 NBA Rookie Ladder Power Rankings 3. Franz Wagner, Orlando Magic</h2>
<div class="fs-shortcode" data-type="Rank" data-rank="3" data-rank-type="player" data-name="Franz Wagner" data-team-id="38" data-meta-a="" data-meta-b="Previous: 4th" data-inner-content=""> <div class="power-ranking remove-native-227"> <div class="order">3 </div> <div class="power-head"> <h3>Franz Wagner </h3> <h4> <span class="last-rank-title">Last rank: </span><span class="last-rank-info">4</span> </h4> </div> <div class="power-logo"> <img src=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/12/28/nba-rookie-ladder-power-rankings-week-10/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/w_75,h_75,c_fill,g_auto,f_auto/https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.fansided.com%2Flogos%2Fnba%2Fmagic.png"> </div> </div>
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<h2>15.0 points, 4.6 rebounds, 2.7 assists, 1.1 steals</h2>
<h2>Shooting splits: .441/.355/.811</h2>
<p>Given Cunningham’s absence and struggles of late, the continued strong play from Franz Wagner was enough to move him back up to the third spot on the list. He started the week off by helping to lead the Orlando Magic to victory over the Atlanta Hawks with 25 points (albeit on 24 shots), four rebounds, two blocks, one assist, and one steal.</p>
<p>He followed that up with another 20-point performance before ending the week with 13 points. This extended his streak of double-digit scoring games to 16, cementing him further as one of the most consistent performers in the class.</p>
<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#222423" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/12/28/nba-rookie-ladder-power-rankings-week-10/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> 2 - 1 </a>
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<img class="wp-image-438956 size-full" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/12/28/nba-rookie-ladder-power-rankings-week-10/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_2134,w_3200/http%3A%2F%2Fhoopshabit.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2018%2F08%2F1356095757.jpeg" alt="NBA Rookie Ladder Power Rankings" width="3200" height="2134" srcset="https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1356095757.jpeg 3200w, https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1356095757-768x512.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 3200px) 100vw, 3200px"><div class="fs-center-img">
<p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:3200px;">CLEVELAND, OH – NOVEMBER 27: Evan Mobley #4 of the Cleveland Cavaliers plays against the Orlando Magic during the second half at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse on November 27, 2021 in Cleveland, Ohio. The Cavaliers defeated the Magic 105-92. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ron Schwane/Getty Images)</p>
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<h2>Week 10 NBA Rookie Ladder Power Rankings 2. Scottie Barnes, Toronto Raptors</h2>
<div class="fs-shortcode" data-type="Rank" data-rank="2" data-rank-type="player" data-name="Scottie Barnes" data-team-id="81" data-meta-a="" data-meta-b="Previous: 2nd" data-inner-content=""> <div class="power-ranking remove-native-227"> <div class="order">2 </div> <div class="power-head"> <h3>Scottie Barnes </h3> <h4> <span class="last-rank-title">Last rank: </span><span class="last-rank-info">2</span> </h4> </div> <div class="power-logo"> <img src=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/12/28/nba-rookie-ladder-power-rankings-week-10/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/w_75,h_75,c_fill,g_auto,f_auto/https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.fansided.com%2Flogos%2Fnba%2Fraptors.png"> </div> </div>
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<h2>15.6 points, 8.3 rebounds, 3.4 assists, 1.1 steals, 1.0 blocks</h2>
<h2>Shooting splits: .494/.356/.726</h2>
<p>Much like the number one player on this list, Scottie Barnes did not appear in a game during this recording period. The Toronto Raptors as a whole played just one game over the last week and Barnes was sidelined, along with more than a quarter of the league, in health and safety protocols.</p>
<p>Barnes was the only player with an actual chance to catch Evan Mobley in short order for the number one spot on the list. Once he is back in the lineup, it would be easy to see him setting himself apart for a Raptors team clinging to the periphery of the play-in discussion.</p>
<h2>Week 10 NBA Rookie Ladder Power Rankings 1. Evan Mobley</h2>
<div class="fs-shortcode" data-type="Rank" data-rank="1" data-rank-type="player" data-name="Evan Mobley" data-team-id="156" data-meta-a="" data-meta-b="Previous: 1st" data-inner-content=""> <div class="power-ranking remove-native-227"> <div class="order">1 </div> <div class="power-head"> <h3>Evan Mobley </h3> <h4> <span class="last-rank-title">Last rank: </span><span class="last-rank-info">1</span> </h4> </div> <div class="power-logo"> <img src=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/12/28/nba-rookie-ladder-power-rankings-week-10/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/w_75,h_75,c_fill,g_auto,f_auto/https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.fansided.com%2Flogos%2Fnba%2Fcavaliers.png"> </div> </div>
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<h2>13.8 points, 8.3 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 1.8 blocks</h2>
<h2>Shooting splits: .474/.333/.773</h2>
<p>Evan Mobley has not played in a game since December 13 after entering health and safety protocols, but no one has been unable to knock him off his perch while the other frontrunners were also knocked out of action.</p>
<p>At this point, if someone like Wagner continues on his tear or one of the other rookies returns to action first then perhaps this extended absence could come back to haunt him.</p>
<p>For the time being, Mobley has built a strong enough resume to weather being out for a few weeks for COVID-19. Hopefully, the big man gets healthy soon and continues to win over the hearts of fans across the league.</p>
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