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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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Dec 2, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Raptors forward Pascal Siakam (43) dribbles to the basket against the Los Angeles Lakers at Air Canada Centre. The Raptors beat the Lakers 113-80. Mandatory Credit: Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 2, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Raptors forward Pascal Siakam (43) dribbles to the basket against the Los Angeles Lakers at Air Canada Centre. The Raptors beat the Lakers 113-80. Mandatory Credit: Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports /

5. Pascal Siakam, Toronto Raptors

The rookie out of New Mexico State University hasn’t dazzled anyone with his numbers on the offensive side of the ball just yet. Pascal Siakam averaged 16.5 points per game in his two-year tenure at NMSU, but is only averaging 5.6 points per game this season.

He averaged 9.7 rebounds per game at NMSU and is only averaging 3.8 rebounds per game for the Raptors. You might be asking yourself, “How and why is this guy in the top five rookies then?”

Glad you asked.

Siakam’s ability on the defensive end has helped the Raptors to an 18-7 record, behind only the Cleveland Cavaliers in the Eastern Conference. He is second among rookies in blocks per game with 0.60, which equates to 1.54 per 48 minutes.

Siakam is only getting 18.8 minutes per game, but if he continues to hustle and not demand the ball to be effective, he can flourish.

The biggest reason why Siakam made this list is because of the trust he has built with the Raptors’ organization. He is getting nearly 20 minutes a game on a playoff contending team.

If he can find his stride on the offensive end and continue to be a lengthy defender, Siakam could see his minutes climb as the season rolls on and in to the playoffs.