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NBA Rookie of the Year power rankings, Week 8: Jaren Jackson Jr. on the rise

By Jerran Anderson

PHILADELPHIA, PA - DECEMBER 2: Jaren Jackson Jr. #13 of the Memphis Grizzlies controls the ball against Ben Simmons #25 of the Philadelphia 76ers at the Wells Fargo Center on December 2, 2018 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. 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. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - DECEMBER 2: Jaren Jackson Jr. #13 of the Memphis Grizzlies controls the ball against Ben Simmons #25 of the Philadelphia 76ers at the Wells Fargo Center on December 2, 2018 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. 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. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) /
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Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images
Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images /

4. Wendell Carter Jr., Chicago Bulls

Last week: N/A

The Chicago Bulls are another team that’s had their fair share of struggles already in 2018-19, but it hasn’t stopped Wendell Carter Jr. from finding his way.

Head coach Fred Hoiberg was dismissed from his post as head coach on Tuesday after 25 games. Considering the youth and talent on this roster, it seemed better to part ways in order to develop guys like Carter and Lauri Markkanen under a new regime.

Markkanen returned to action this past Saturday against the Houston Rockets, posting 10 points and four rebounds. Alongside Markkanen, Carter put up just eight points and eight rebounds, showing he’s still getting used to playing with him.

The former rookie out of Duke put up a career-high 28 points to go along with seven rebounds and three blocks on 11-of-18 shooting from the floor against the Detroit Pistons last Friday, though it came in a loss.

The next game, Carter posted his fifth double-double of the season (12 points, 13 rebounds) against the Indiana Pacers on Tuesday night. Carter ranks second among rookies in double-doubles this year. With Hoiberg out, it will be interesting to see how Chicago develops its emerging big man now.