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NBA Rookie of the Year power rankings, Week 12: Trae Young ends his shooting slump

By Jerran Anderson

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - DECEMBER 31: Trae Young #11 of the Atlanta Hawks is seen during the game against the Indiana Pacers at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on December 31, 2018 in Indianapolis, Indiana. 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 Michael Hickey/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - DECEMBER 31: Trae Young #11 of the Atlanta Hawks is seen during the game against the Indiana Pacers at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on December 31, 2018 in Indianapolis, Indiana. 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 Michael Hickey/Getty Images) /
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Photo by Will Newton/Getty Images
Photo by Will Newton/Getty Images /

The NBA Rookie of the Year award race is getting interesting as the New Year kicks off. Here’s a look at the Week 12 rankings.

The NBA Rookie of the Year race is heating up as both Dallas Mavericks guard Luka Doncic and Phoenix Suns big man Deandre Ayton are both producing over 20 points per game over their past four games. While Doncic is showing off his ability as an efficient playmaker, Ayton is racking up double-doubles and dominating the paint.

Joining Doncic and Ayton in the race are two players that have made appearances already on the Rookie of the Year power rankings, Memphis Grizzlies big man Jaren Jackson Jr. and New York Knicks forward Kevin Knox. Both players are showing why they were so highly regarded in this past year’s draft class.

Jackson has shown off his ability to win games in recent weeks while Knox continues to find his way in the Knicks’ rotation. Atlanta Hawks point guard Trae Young is also showing strides, as he’s broken out of his slump in recent games.

This year’s race isn’t as deep as last year’s, but this is only a glimpse of things to come for some teams looking to get out of the NBA Draft Lottery. The Grizzlies and Mavericks are tied for 10th place in the West with a record of 18-19 entering Friday’s action. Given each team’s place in the current playoff picture, the rookies are a lot closer on paper than it looks. Here’s a look at the Week 12 Rookie of the Year power rankings.