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

9 of 11

Photo by Omar Rawlings/Getty Images /

3. Jayson Tatum, Boston Celtics

Last week: 4th (↑1)

Boston Celtics rookie Jayson Tatum has been on a tear since the team hit a rough patch. Since putting up just four points on 2-of-9 shooting against the Golden State Warriors on Jan. 27, Tatum’s numbers have taken a positive turn

Tatum is averaging 19.8 points, 3.8 rebounds, 3.3 assists and 1.3 steals per game in the last four games for Boston. His shooting numbers are even more impressive as he’s shooting 52.5 percent from the field and 42.9 percent across the same span. He put up a career-high 27 points on 11-of-19 shooting against the Atlanta Hawks in a 119-110 victory on Friday night. He also had four rebounds, four steals and three assists.

If ever there was a dark horse for Rookie of the Year, Jayson Tatum is it. There’s some stiff competition ahead of him but if given similar situations, he’d probably fill up the stat sheet just the same.