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

By Corey Rausch

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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DETROIT, MICHIGAN – JANUARY 10: Cade Cunningham #2 of the Detroit Pistons reacts against the Utah Jazz during the fourth quarter at Little Caesars Arena on January 10, 2022 in Detroit, Michigan. Cade Cunningham finished with a career-high 29 points in the Pistons’ victory over the Jazz. 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 Nic Antaya/Getty Images) /

Week 13 NBA Rookie Ladder: 2. Cade Cunningham

15.7 points, 5.6 rebounds, 5.3 assists, 1.3 steals

Shooting splits: .397/.321/.841

Cade Cunningham has been on something of a tour de force of late. In the first game of this week, he bodied the Utah Jazz to the tune of 29 points, eight assists, two blocks, two steals, and one rebound in a huge win.

He led the Detroit Pistons to another win against the Toronto Raptors later in the week with 18 points, seven rebounds, five assists, and a steal. Then he looked like he was on track to punk the Phoenix Suns (albeit in a blowout loss) with 21 points in 24 minutes before he was ejected for pointing after a dunk.

While many have been ready to hand the award to Evan Mobley since the first week of the season, if this is the way Cunningham performs for the rest of the way, he is going to make the race extremely interesting.

Week 13 NBA Rookie Ladder: 1. Evan Mobley

15.0 points, 8.0 rebounds, 2.7 assists, 1.7 blocks

Shooting splits: .508/.288/.717

The Evan Mobley/Darius Garland/Jarrett Allen trio has come to define one of the most fun developing teams in the league, and one that is already firmly in playoff contention.

Mobley is such an important part of a winning team that is impossible to move him off the top spot at this point. Against the Oklahoma City Thunder, it felt like he was able to get whatever he wanted as he showcased his defensive versatility with aplomb. Making both sides of the ball fun while winning at a playoff level is the recipe for the Rookie of the Year award.

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