5 players who will challenge Victor Wembanyama for Rookie of the Year

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - JULY 09: Victor Wembanyama #1 of the San Antonio Spurs shoots a free throw against the Portland Trail Blazers in the second half of a 2023 NBA Summer League game at the Thomas & Mack Center on July 09, 2023 in Las Vegas, Nevada. 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 Ethan Miller/Getty Images) /

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Jarace Walker (Photo by Arturo Holmes/Getty Images) /

Rookie of the Year: F Jarace Walker, Indiana Pacers

Wembanyama and the three players mentioned above can be considered the top tier (or two) of Rookie of the Year candidates. Let’s dive into a couple of sleepers, starting with the shallow sleeper lottery pick of Jarace Walker, taken by the Indiana Pacers.

The forward should make an immediate impact with a young Pacers squad. He profiles as a prototypical 3-and-D type, averaging 11.2 points per game during his lone collegiate season at Houston. He hit 47 percent of his shots as a freshman, including 35 percent of his threes.

His three contributions should be dwarfed by his defensive contributions. There’s a chance he proves to be one of the best defensive players in the 2023 draft class, owing to his size, instincts, and quickness. Some of that will be harder for voters to measure, but the increased reliance on analytics could give his defensive presence some much-deserved credit when voting takes place.

Walker struggled shooting during his first two Summer League games, but it hardly affected him. He averaged 12 points, 8.5 rebounds, 4.5 assists, 2 steals, and 2 blocks in those two contests.

Walker has demonstrated his versatility on both ends of the court during his Summer League stint. Carrying that momentum into the regular season could lead to a Rookie of the Year push for the Pacer.

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