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NBA Rookie Ladder Week 6: The leader of the pack returns

By Corey Rausch

CLEVELAND, OH - NOVEMBER 27: Evan Mobley #4 of the Cleveland Cavaliers plays against the Orlando Magic during the second half at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse on November 27, 2021 in Cleveland, Ohio. The Cavaliers defeated the Magic 105-92. 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 Ron Schwane/Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OH - NOVEMBER 27: Evan Mobley #4 of the Cleveland Cavaliers plays against the Orlando Magic during the second half at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse on November 27, 2021 in Cleveland, Ohio. The Cavaliers defeated the Magic 105-92. 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 Ron Schwane/Getty Images) /
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NBA Rookie Ladder
CLEVELAND, OH – NOVEMBER 27: Evan Mobley #4 of the Cleveland Cavaliers plays against Chuma Okeke #3 of the Orlando Magic during the second half at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse on November 27, 2021 in Cleveland, Ohio. The Cavaliers defeated the Magic 105-92. 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; NBA Rookie Ladder. (Photo by Ron Schwane/Getty Images) /

Welcome back to the weekly rookie ladder update! Each week this season we will look at the race for the top five slots on the Rookie of the Year ballot, cutting the recording period every Sunday. The calendar is about to turn to December and we are through the first quarter of the season. Even better, another rookie makes his first appearance on the ladder.

In week six of the Rookie Ladder standings, what are the standings after the first 20 games of the season?

Week 6 NBA Rookie Ladder Power Rankings: 5. Jeremiah Robinson-Earl

player. 149. . . Previous: . Jeremiah Robinson-Earl. 5

7.3 points, 5.5 rebounds, 0.8 assists, 1.1 steals

Shooting splits: .454/.407/.636

The counting stats for the season overall do not tell the full story for Jeremiah Robinson-Earl. Since moving into the starting lineup for the Oklahoma City Thunder, the numbers have seen a noticeable spike.

He is top 10 amongst rookie starters in scoring and rebounding. He has provided some interesting lineup looks as a small-ball big. Most of the rookie focus for the Thunder has been placed on lottery pick Josh Giddey (more on him later), but hitting on the periphery picks is essential to accelerating the rebuilding process.

Robinson-Earl should only continue to look more and more comfortable as the season goes along. He is a clear foundational piece and his role in the lineup has been cemented. Even if some of the others picks end up bumping him a couple of rungs down this ladder, he deserves the shout-out for making the transition this early in his career. He is doing all the dirty work, as is common for Villanova products at this point