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2017-18 NBA Rookie of the Year ladder: Week 17 power rankings

By Jerran Anderson

Photo by Barry Gossage/NBAE via Getty Images
Photo by Barry Gossage/NBAE via Getty Images /
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Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images
Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images /

5. Dennis Smith Jr., Dallas Mavericks

Last week: 6th (↑1)

Dallas Mavericks point guard Dennis Smith Jr. continues to work his way back up the Rookie of the Year ladder ranks. The rookie out of NC State got some good news recently when it was announced he would be a contestant in this year’s NBA All-Star Slam Dunk Contest.

On the court, Smith has scored in double figures in 17 consecutive games for the Dallas Mavericks this season and his assist average continues to climb along the way. He’s averaging 14.3 points, 7.0 assists, 3.7 rebounds and 1.3 steals in the past three games despite shooting 29.8 percent from the floor.

His shooting touch has been off lately but he’s made up for that by getting to the free throw line when he can. Still, he’s 2-for-17 from 3-point range in the past three games, something to keep an eye on if you’re the Mavericks’ coaching staff. There’s no real rush for success with Dennis Smith Jr. as they’ve got some holes to fill on the Mavericks’ roster, so it’s definitely something worth monitoring.