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NBA Rookie Ladder: The race at the All-Star break

By Michael Shearer

CLEVELAND, OHIO - FEBRUARY 18: Josh Giddey #3 of the Oklahoma City Thunder dribbles the ball during the 2022 Clorox Rising Stars at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse on February 18, 2022 in Cleveland, Ohio. 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 - FEBRUARY 18: Josh Giddey #3 of the Oklahoma City Thunder dribbles the ball during the 2022 Clorox Rising Stars at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse on February 18, 2022 in Cleveland, Ohio. 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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NBA Rookie Ladder: The race at the All-Star break
CLEVELAND, OHIO – FEBRUARY 18: Cade Cunningham #2 of the Detroit Pistons holds up the 2022 Clorox Rising Stars MVP trophy after the 2022 Clorox Rising Stars at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse on February 18, 2022 in Cleveland, Ohio, NBA Rookie Ladder: The race at the All-Star break. 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) /

This year’s rookie class has been one of the strongest in recent memory. There are at least 20 newbies making a significant impact, and several seem like they have future star potential. The NBA Rookie of the Year race is heating up, and little separates many of the rookies from each other.

Although the number one rookie this year has been clear-cut so far, there is going to be a serious battle for the last few spots on the All-Rookie teams that are named at the end of the year, and several people’s feelings will be hurt.

Frankly, we’ve never had so many rookies so good at defense, which has been a welcome change. And it’s rare that we’ve had so many contributing to playoff teams.

It’s been a pleasure to watch these players blossom as the season has gone on, and it’ll be fascinating to see how the ROTY race shakes out over the coming months.

NBA Rookie Ladder: 5. Ayo Dosunmo

Pts/Rebs/Asts/Stls/Blks: 8.1/2.8/3.1/0.7/0.4

FG%/3P%/FT%: 52.3%/40.7%/67.7%

Ayo Dosunmu started the season as a defensive specialist, but thanks to opportunistic play and injuries, he’s risen to become a point guard capable of facilitating a top offense.

Dosunmo’s high-energy style quickly made him a fan favorite, but his recent stretch as the starting one has really showcased his latent passing abilities.

In his last ten games (all starts), Ayo has averaged 10.6 points and a jaw-dropping 7.8 assists while hitting 38 percent from three (on minimal volume) and playing ferocious defense.

Dosunmu wasn’t known as an advanced playmaker in college, but if the passing he’s shown is real, he becomes a much more flexible offensive option who could fit in as a secondary playmaker in virtually any combination of Bulls lineups.

Plus, he’s yet another switchy, twitchy defensive menace to go with Lonzo Ball and Alex Caruso on the perimeter (when they’re back). Seriously, how does he do this?

https://twitter.com/NBA/status/1467326334074556418

Dosunmu has already given the Bulls far more than they expected, and he’s become a critical part of the rotation for a top-seeded team in the East. It’ll be fun to see how he fares in the playoffs.