Week 13 NBA Rookie Ladder: Two major risers shake up the rankings

SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - NOVEMBER 08: Jonathan Kuminga #00 of the Golden State Warriors looks on against the Atlanta Hawks during the first half of an NBA basketball game at Chase Center on November 08, 2021 in San Francisco, California. 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 Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - NOVEMBER 08: Jonathan Kuminga #00 of the Golden State Warriors looks on against the Atlanta Hawks during the first half of an NBA basketball game at Chase Center on November 08, 2021 in San Francisco, California. 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 Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
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NBA Rookie Ladder
TORONTO, ON – JANUARY 09: Scottie Barnes #4 of the Toronto Raptors warms up ahead of their NBA game against the New Orleans Pelicans at Scotiabank Arena on January 9, 2022 in Toronto, Canada. 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 Cole Burston/Getty Images)

Week 13 NBA Rookie Ladder: 4. Scottie Barnes

14.5 points, 7.9 rebounds, 3.5 assists, 1.0 steals

Shooting splits: .476/.308/.714

The struggles continue for Scottie Barnes, who only appeared in one game this week while dealing with knee soreness. Given the aforementioned depth of this class, these struggles are coming during the crest of two players who had trailed him for most of the season.

In his one game this week, Barnes posted a line of eight points, seven rebounds, two assists, and one steal against one of the other best rookies in this class. Ideally, he will get healthy and be able to bound back up this list as the season goes along. But for now, he cannot be any higher on this list than fourth.

Week 13 NBA Rookie Ladder: 3. Franz Wagner

15.5 points, 4.7 rebounds, 2.9 assists, 1.0 steals

Shooting splits: .454/.355/.838

Franz Wagner has cooled off just enough to move him out of second place for the time being. He was the 11th highest rookie scorer over the last week at 13.0 points per game, but it is the dip in efficiency that really hurts.

Looking at his numbers for the season thus far show what we have come to expect from Wagner, making this week’s 16.7 percent from behind the arc so galling. He did have a highlight, 19-point performance in a rare Orlando Magic win this past week, but the consistency we have become accustomed to took a week off and let the former number one overall pick take another step forward.