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Ranking Top 5 Rookies So Far

By Kyle Tomasi

Dec 14, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (21) drives to the basket against Toronto Raptors forward Pascal Siakam (43) during the second half at Wells Fargo Center. The Toronto Raptors won 123.114. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 14, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (21) drives to the basket against Toronto Raptors forward Pascal Siakam (43) during the second half at Wells Fargo Center. The Toronto Raptors won 123.114. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /
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The 2016 rookie class has seen its ups and downs early on in the season, but a handful of first-year NBA players have stood out.

Dec 14, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (21) drives to the basket against Toronto Raptors forward Pascal Siakam (43) during the second half at Wells Fargo Center. The Toronto Raptors won 123.114. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 14, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (21) drives to the basket against Toronto Raptors forward Pascal Siakam (43) during the second half at Wells Fargo Center. The Toronto Raptors won 123.114. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /

It’s always fun heading in to the new NBA season and seeing rookies get their chance at the next level. Sometimes it works out in the first year and others it takes a season or two to find their stride.

The 2016 rookie class has showed out so far this season, but has seen a few stragglers early on.

You don’t know what you’re going to get. A scorer in college doesn’t necessarily translate to a scorer with lock-down defenders guarding them.

On the flip side, a defensive star in college might have trouble keeping the likes of LeBron James, Kevin Durant or Russell Westbrook in front of them.

Related Story: 25 Greatest Rookie Seasons Of All-Time

It’s common to see ups and downs throughout a season but there has been a handful of rookies that have been pretty consistent through the first couple months of the NBA season.

Some honorable mentions that didn’t quite make the cut are Andrew Harrison of the Memphis Grizzlies, Kris Dunn of the Minnesota Timberwolves, Dario Saric of the Philadelphia 76ers and Buddy Hield of the New Orleans Pelicans.

Here is a list of the top five rookies so far this season.