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Ranking the NBA’s 10 most underrated players in 2022-23

By Holden Walter-Warner

Apr 30, 2021; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Utah Jazz guard Joe Ingles (2) drives on Phoenix Suns forward Torrey Craig (12) in the first half at Phoenix Suns Arena. Mandatory Credit: Rick Scuteri-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 30, 2021; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Utah Jazz guard Joe Ingles (2) drives on Phoenix Suns forward Torrey Craig (12) in the first half at Phoenix Suns Arena. Mandatory Credit: Rick Scuteri-USA TODAY Sports /
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NBA Rookies
Jeremiah Robinson-Earl, NBA(Photo by Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images) /

10. F Jeremiah Robinson-Earl, Oklahoma City Thunder

Having just turned 22 years old last month, Oklahoma City Thunder forward Jeremiah Robinson-Earl continues to fly under the radar, playing in one of the NBA’s least recognized markets. The Thunder are only going to be able to keep the second-year player under wraps for so long, though.

In 2021, the Big East co-player of the year at Villanova was a second-round draft pick by the New York Knicks, who immediately shipped him to the Thunder. In his rookie season, Robinson-Earl played in 49 games and started the majority of them, averaging 7.5 points and 5.6 rebounds per game.

The big man has started the majority of his games this season once again, though he’s actually playing slightly less in each game. Nevertheless, his scoring has improved, as has his three-point shooting percentage. One of Robinson-Earl’s best attributes is his ability to avoid coughing the ball up to the opponent. He sports a 6.9 turnover percentage this season, which ranks sixth in the league.

Robinson-Earl isn’t getting consistent playing time every night, though. His role seems to shift in tandem with those of Aaron Wiggins and Aleksej Pokusevski. That might only worsen as the young players come of age and get healthy (see: Holmgren, Chet).

At this point, it seems like Robinson-Earl may remain an underrated rotation piece until he winds up on another franchise less interested in his questionable ceiling and more intrigued by his sturdy floor.