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Week 15 NBA Rookie Ladder: The top two face off for supremacy

By Corey Rausch

CLEVELAND, OHIO - NOVEMBER 12: Evan Mobley #4 of the Cleveland Cavaliers shoots over Cade Cunningham #2 of the Detroit Pistons at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse on November 12, 2021 in Cleveland, Ohio. The Cavaliers defeated the Pistons 98-78. 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 Jason Miller/Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OHIO - NOVEMBER 12: Evan Mobley #4 of the Cleveland Cavaliers shoots over Cade Cunningham #2 of the Detroit Pistons at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse on November 12, 2021 in Cleveland, Ohio. The Cavaliers defeated the Pistons 98-78. 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 Jason Miller/Getty Images) /
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Week 15 NBA Rookie Ladder: The top two face off for supremacy
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA – DECEMBER 31: Ayo Dosunmu #12 of the Chicago Bulls looks to pass the ball in the game against the Indiana Pacers at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on December 31, 2021 in Indianapolis, Indiana, Week 15 NBA Rookie Ladder: The top two face off for supremacy. 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 Justin Casterline/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.

After briefly returning to the list last week, Josh Giddey finds himself on the outside looking in once again due to the continual rise of another guard prospect. The race at the top is tighter than it has been all season and the middle of the pack continues to shuffle. Let’s get into it.

In week 15 of the NBA Rookie Ladder standings, the plot thickens at the top of the ladder after a clash between the top two candidates.

Week 15 NBA Rookie Ladder: 5. Ayo Dosunmu

7.6 points, 2.7 rebounds, 2.2 assists 

Shooting splits: .529/.422/.647

For a Chicago Bulls team that has dealt with a mountain of injury issues, Ayo Dosunmu has been one of the bright spots making the tough stretch of the season that much more fun. Something of a hometown hero after playing three seasons with the University of Illinois, Dosunmu has been a steal as a second-round selection.

Since the turn of the calendar to 2022, Dosunmu has found himself regularly getting more minutes and is averaging 10.0 points, 4.1 assists, 3.9 rebounds, and 1.0 steals per game on shooting splits of .526/.444/.750.

Giddey, who he replaced on this list, trails him only in efficiency, but with Dosunmu playing for a team looking to win now, that edge matters far more than the counting stats edge.

This could be biased coming from someone who loves the defensive pressure that Ayo Dosunmu puts on opponents, but at least for this week, he is on the ladder.