PORTLAND, OR - JANUARY 9: Wendell Carter Jr. #34 of the Chicago Bulls makes his entrance before the game against the Portland Trail Blazers on January 9, 2019 at the Moda Center Arena in Portland, Oregon. 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Sam Forencich/NBAE via Getty Images)
NBA Rookie of the Year power rankings, Week 13: Wendell Carter Jr. back in the mix
Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images
The NBA Rookie of the Year race is heating up as a few players continue to make moves. Here’s a look at this week’s power rankings.
The NBA Rookie of the Year Week 13 power rankings have seen another shift as 2019 is underway. The development process is a grueling one in the NBA, especially if you’re a rookie on a bad team. Of the five players on this week’s power rankings, zero are on teams with records above the .500 mark.
Some names will still be familiar to the daily basketball fan, but one thing to keep an eye on is the movement of Atlanta Hawks rookie point guard Trae Young. Young has really found his stroke from behind the arc in the past few weeks.
The biggest surprise this past week among the rookies was New Orleans Pelicans guard Frank Jackson. He put up 14.0 points, 2.0 rebounds and 1.7 assists in 19.1 minutes per game over three appearances for the Pelicans.
Jackson has shot 63.6 percent from 3-point range and 60.9 percent from the field during the same stretch. In seeing extended minutes, he’s put up 17 and 19 points in consecutive appearances with the Pelicans, and it will be interesting to see if the rookie can keep up the positive production.
Here’s a look at the Week 13 Rookie of the Year power rankings.
Atlanta Hawks</a> rookie point guard <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2019/01/11/nba-rookie-of-the-year-power-rankings-week-13-wendell-carter-jr-back-in-mix/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/y/youngtr01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" ref="nofollow">Trae Young</a>. Young has really found his stroke from behind the arc in the past few weeks.</p>
<p>The biggest surprise this past week among the rookies was <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2019/01/11/nba-rookie-of-the-year-power-rankings-week-13-wendell-carter-jr-back-in-mix/"https://hoopshabit.com/western-conference/new-orleans-pelicans/">New Orleans Pelicans</a> guard <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2019/01/11/nba-rookie-of-the-year-power-rankings-week-13-wendell-carter-jr-back-in-mix/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/j/jacksfr01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" ref="nofollow">Frank Jackson</a>. He put up 14.0 points, 2.0 rebounds and 1.7 assists in 19.1 minutes per game over three appearances for the Pelicans.</p>
<p>Jackson has shot 63.6 percent from 3-point range and 60.9 percent from the field during the same stretch. In seeing extended minutes, he’s put up 17 and 19 points in consecutive appearances with the Pelicans, and it will be interesting to see if the rookie can keep up the positive production.</p>
<p>Here’s a look at the Week 13 Rookie of the Year power rankings.</p>
<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#bb2c32" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2019/01/11/nba-rookie-of-the-year-power-rankings-week-13-wendell-carter-jr-back-in-mix/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> No. 5 </a>
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<p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:590px;">Photo by Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images</p>
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<h3>5. <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2019/01/11/nba-rookie-of-the-year-power-rankings-week-13-wendell-carter-jr-back-in-mix/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/search/search.fcgi?pid=jacksja01,jacksja02&search=Jaren+Jackson&utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" ref="nofollow">Jaren Jackson</a> Jr., Memphis Grizzlies</h3>
<p><strong>Last week: 5th (↔)</strong></p>
<p><a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2019/01/11/nba-rookie-of-the-year-power-rankings-week-13-wendell-carter-jr-back-in-mix/"https://hoopshabit.com/western-conference/memphis-grizzlies/">Memphis Grizzlies</a> big man Jaren Jackson Jr. remains steady at No. 5 in this week’s rankings after a decent performance on offense. His rebounding numbers could use a boost, but for now, his efficiency from the field will do.</p>
<p>Jackson is putting up 14.5 points and just 3.5 rebounds per game in his last four appearances, and it’s shown in the final result for the Grizzlies. Memphis is 1-3 in their last four games and with a 19-22 record, they’re currently tied with the <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2019/01/11/nba-rookie-of-the-year-power-rankings-week-13-wendell-carter-jr-back-in-mix/"https://hoopshabit.com/western-conference/dallas-mavericks/">Dallas Mavericks</a> with the same record, which is pretty fitting with <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2019/01/11/nba-rookie-of-the-year-power-rankings-week-13-wendell-carter-jr-back-in-mix/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/d/doncilu01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" ref="nofollow">Luka Doncic</a> on their roster.</p>
<p>In victories this season, Jackson is putting up 14.5 points per contest and shooting 38 percent from 3-point range. In losses, he’s averaging 12.4 points and shooting 29.4 percent from behind the arc. He hasn’t fully found his way in the rotation yet, but when he does, the Grizzlies should be a playoff team, or close. Now, it’s just on him to recognize his impact.</p>
<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#bb2c32" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2019/01/11/nba-rookie-of-the-year-power-rankings-week-13-wendell-carter-jr-back-in-mix/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> No. 5 </a>
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<p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:590px;">Photo by Barry Gossage/NBAE via Getty Images</p>
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<h3>4. <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2019/01/11/nba-rookie-of-the-year-power-rankings-week-13-wendell-carter-jr-back-in-mix/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/a/aytonde01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" ref="nofollow">Deandre Ayton</a>, Phoenix Suns</h3>
<p><strong>Last week: 2nd (↓2)</strong></p>
<p><a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2019/01/11/nba-rookie-of-the-year-power-rankings-week-13-wendell-carter-jr-back-in-mix/"https://hoopshabit.com/western-conference/phoenix-suns/">Phoenix Suns</a> center Deandre Ayton’s production has gone down in recent weeks, as has the team in recent games. He’s averaged 11.5 points, 7.8 rebounds and 1.0 blocks per game on 51.4 percent shooting since last week’s rankings were released.</p>
<p>Ayton has produced single-digit scoring in two of his last four appearances. He tied a season-low with four points against the <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2019/01/11/nba-rookie-of-the-year-power-rankings-week-13-wendell-carter-jr-back-in-mix/"https://hoopshabit.com/western-conference/los-angeles-clippers/">Los Angeles Clippers</a> on 2-of-3 shooting last Friday then put up just six points on 1-of-7 shooting in their 104-94 loss to the Dallas Mavericks on Wednesday night.</p>
<p>When he’s not scoring, Ayton has been pretty useless in the frontcourt for the Suns. He’s been slacking on the boards lately for Phoenix as well, producing just one double-double in his last four games.</p>
<p>The Suns are 1-4 so far in the month of January and have won two of their last nine games since Dec. 26. The New Year hasn’t been very kind to Phoenix and its rookie big man, and as the season goes on, his production will be something to keep an eye on.</p>
<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#bb2c32" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2019/01/11/nba-rookie-of-the-year-power-rankings-week-13-wendell-carter-jr-back-in-mix/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> No. 3 </a>
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<p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:590px;">Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images</p>
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<h3>3. <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2019/01/11/nba-rookie-of-the-year-power-rankings-week-13-wendell-carter-jr-back-in-mix/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/c/cartewe01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" ref="nofollow">Wendell Carter</a> Jr., Chicago Bulls</h3>
<p><strong>Last week: N/A</strong></p>
<p><a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2019/01/11/nba-rookie-of-the-year-power-rankings-week-13-wendell-carter-jr-back-in-mix/"https://hoopshabit.com/eastern-conference/chicago-bulls/">Chicago Bulls</a> big man Wendell Carter Jr. finds himself back in the top five as one of the few bright spots in the frontcourt this season. The Bulls have lost their last five games, but that hasn’t stopped Carter from finding his stroke on offense.</p>
<p>Carter produced 22 points on 7-of-9 shooting in Chicago’s loss to the <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2019/01/11/nba-rookie-of-the-year-power-rankings-week-13-wendell-carter-jr-back-in-mix/"https://hoopshabit.com/western-conference/portland-trail-blazers/">Portland Trail Blazers</a> on Wednesday night. It was just his third 20-point effort this season. He could use a few more rebounds under his belt to drive his double-double efforts. So far, he’s recorded just seven double-doubles this season but he’s yet to record one in the month of January.</p>
<p>He’s putting up 10.7 points, 6.9 rebounds, 1.8 assists and 1.4 blocks per contest this season as he continues to develop in the Bulls’ frontcourt. Second-year forward <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2019/01/11/nba-rookie-of-the-year-power-rankings-week-13-wendell-carter-jr-back-in-mix/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/m/markkla01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" ref="nofollow">Lauri Markkanen</a> is producing 17.0 points and 7.3 rebounds per game and <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2019/01/11/nba-rookie-of-the-year-power-rankings-week-13-wendell-carter-jr-back-in-mix/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/p/portibo01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" ref="nofollow">Bobby Portis</a> is producing 12.6 points and 7.5 rebounds per contest off the bench. It looks like the Bulls frontcourt is in good shape, now they just need to solve their backcourt woes.</p>
<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#bb2c32" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2019/01/11/nba-rookie-of-the-year-power-rankings-week-13-wendell-carter-jr-back-in-mix/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> No. 2 </a>
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<p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:590px;">Photo by Ron Turenne/NBAE via Getty Images</p>
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<h3>2. Trae Young, Atlanta Hawks</h3>
<p><strong>Last week: 3rd (↑1)</strong></p>
<p>Through another week of games, rookie point guard Trae Young seems to be finding his way of sorts. He’s shooting 38.1 percent from 3-point range over the last four games for the Hawks on 17.0 points per game.</p>
<p>He put up the 12th double-double (13 points, 10 assists) of his young career against the <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2019/01/11/nba-rookie-of-the-year-power-rankings-week-13-wendell-carter-jr-back-in-mix/"https://hoopshabit.com/eastern-conference/milwaukee-bucks/">Milwaukee Bucks</a> last Friday, although it came in a 144-112 defeat. He’s beginning to find consistency despite his recent production, which is a good thing considering how bad Atlanta has been overall this season.</p>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Trae Young 19 PTS (3-3 3PT) in the Hawks 106-82 win over the Heat. </p>
<p>Trae is shooting 71% from three over his last 7 games. <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2019/01/11/nba-rookie-of-the-year-power-rankings-week-13-wendell-carter-jr-back-in-mix/"https://t.co/U4gOMEl1LI">pic.twitter.com/U4gOMEl1LI
<p>— Ballislife.com (@Ballislife) <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2019/01/11/nba-rookie-of-the-year-power-rankings-week-13-wendell-carter-jr-back-in-mix/"https://twitter.com/Ballislife/status/1082284826806419456?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%22>January 7, 2019</a></p></blockquote>
<p><script async src=https://hoopshabit.com/2019/01/11/nba-rookie-of-the-year-power-rankings-week-13-wendell-carter-jr-back-in-mix/"https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p></div>
<p>With the Hawks’ 12-29 record, Young’s development has taken a front seat to the final results at the end of games. Through the first five games in January, Young is already having his best month from behind the arc, shooting 39.1 percent and averaging 14.6 points per contest.</p>
<p>Young is averaging 15.5 points, 7.3 assists and 2.9 rebounds per game while shooting 28.8 percent from 3-point land and 39.4 percent from the field on the season. If his numbers continue to improve in the month of January, those figures are sure to improve with time.</p>
<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#bb2c32" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2019/01/11/nba-rookie-of-the-year-power-rankings-week-13-wendell-carter-jr-back-in-mix/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> No. 1 </a>
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<p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:590px;">Photo by Glenn James/NBAE via Getty Images</p>
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<h3>1. Luka Doncic, Dallas Mavericks</h3>
<p><strong>Last week: 1st (↔)</strong></p>
<p>Rookie guard Luka Doncic continues to be a model of consistency in the Dallas Mavericks’ starting rotation. He put up 30 points, six rebounds, five assists and three steals in their recent victory over the Phoenix Suns on Wednesday night. It marked the fourth time this season Doncic has put up 30 points or more in a game, and so far he’s the only rookie with multiple 30-point games this season.</p>
<p>Doncic’s 30-point game snapped a three-game skid for the Mavericks and with a 19-22 record, they remain within striking distance of eighth place in the playoff race, trailing the 8-seed by 3.5 games. He remains the only rookie averaging 20 points or more per game over the last week at 22.5 points per contest.</p>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Luka Doncic step-backs are PURE 👌 <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2019/01/11/nba-rookie-of-the-year-power-rankings-week-13-wendell-carter-jr-back-in-mix/"https://t.co/52Q9Wis1c1">pic.twitter.com/52Q9Wis1c1
<p>— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2019/01/11/nba-rookie-of-the-year-power-rankings-week-13-wendell-carter-jr-back-in-mix/"https://twitter.com/SportsCenter/status/1083185519612309504?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%22>January 10, 2019</a></p></blockquote>
<p><script async src=https://hoopshabit.com/2019/01/11/nba-rookie-of-the-year-power-rankings-week-13-wendell-carter-jr-back-in-mix/"https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p></div>
<p>Doncic may have found his go-to move as well, in the form of the stepback 3-pointer. He’s proven to be virtually unguardable when he’s made the move, much like <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2019/01/11/nba-rookie-of-the-year-power-rankings-week-13-wendell-carter-jr-back-in-mix/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/n/nowitdi01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" ref="nofollow">Dirk Nowitzki</a>‘s patented leg-kick fadeaway.</p>
<div class="fs-shortcode" data-type="StoryLink" data-theme="dark" data-text="Week 13 NBA Power Rankings" data-url="https://hoopshabit.com/2019/01/08/2018-19-nba-power-rankings-week-13/" data-call-to-action="Next"> <div class="story-link-next"> <a class="story-link-next-btn" style="background:#bb2c32" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="story-link-next-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2019/01/11/nba-rookie-of-the-year-power-rankings-week-13-wendell-carter-jr-back-in-mix/"https://hoopshabit.com/2019/01/08/2018-19-nba-power-rankings-week-13/"> <span class="call_to_action">Next:</span> Week 13 NBA Power Rankings </a> </div>
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<p>The Rookie of the Year award still hasn’t become a foregone conclusion, but Doncic continues to get closer to sealing the award up with every passing game.</p><!—pageview_candidate—>">
