Tag: De’Andre Hunter

Rookie Wire Power Rankings: Zion Williamson makes his first appearance

Rookie Wire takes a look at the top rookies through the latest week of the 2019-20 NBA season.

Zion Mania has officially arrived in the NBA.

The No. 1 overall pick has now completed one full week of action with the New Orleans Pelicans, playing in four games since debuting against the San Antonio Spurs on Jan. 22.

Williamson has already shown in a small sample size that he figures be a problem for years to come in the NBA. As a result, he makes his first appearance of the season on the Rookie Wire Power Rankings.

Here are the latest Rookie Wire Power Rankings:

All stats are through games played on Jan. 28

5. Michael Porter Jr., Denver Nuggets

Stats: 7.7 points, 4 rebounds

Last Rank: N/A

Porter checks in on the Power Rankings for the first time this season after some stellar play for the Nuggets. Head coach Michael Malone has finally found consistent playing time for the first-round pick and Porter hasn’t disappointed. Over the last two weeks, Porter is averaging 15.3 points and nine rebounds in seven games while he is shooting 51.4% (18-of-35) from 3-point range. The Nuggets are beginning to look like some mad geniuses for taking a chance on Porter and his rise up the ranks has been a welcomed sign for basketball fans alike.

4. Tyler Herro, Miami Heat 

Stats: 13.1 points, 4.2 rebounds, 2 assists

Last Rank: Honorable Mention

With rookie teammate Kendrick Nunn nursing an Achilles injury, Herro has started the last three consecutive games for the Heat. Herro is averaging 15.8 points over his last four games, which trails only Zion Williamson for the most during that stretch. The Heat have had Herro running the point in place of Nunn with the rookie playing well in that role. He turned in an impressive sequence on Tuesday against the Boston Celtics after blocking Kemba Walker on one end, then finding a cutting Meyers Leonard for an easy dunk attempt.

3. Zion Williamson, New Orleans Pelicans

Stats: 18 points, 8.3 rebounds, 1.5 assists

Last Rank: N/A

As the Pelicans worked to ease Williamson into action, the No. 1 overall pick has seen a gradual increase in playing time, capped by a season-high 30 minutes on Tuesday night. Williamson has been highly efficient over his first four games, converting on 63.3% of his field-goal attempts. With much of the hype around Williamson subsiding now, he should be able to step in for the Pelicans, play his brand of basketball and work on his development.

2. Kendrick Nunn, Miami Heat

Stats: 16.2 points, 3.5 assists, 2.8 rebounds

Last Rank: 4

Nunn had been playing some of his best basketball of the season before an Achilles injury forced him to sit the past three games for the Heat. Over his last five games, Nunn was averaging 22.4 points on 51.7% shooting (15-of-29) from 3-point range. That stretch includes a 33-point performance on Jan. 15 against the San Antonio Spurs. Details of his injury are limited but it does not appear to be that serious so Nunn could soon find his way back into the lineup.

1. Ja Morant, Memphis Grizzlies

Stats: 17.5 points, 7.1 assists, 3.5 rebounds, 1.1 steals

Last Rank: 1

The runaway Rookie of the Year has sparked the Grizzlies to a 10-3 record during the month of January and has firmly kept the team in the playoff race in the Western Conference. Morant leads all rookies in scoring and assists and is second in field goals made. Although Williamson is back on the court, Morant should still be the frontrunner to be named ROY.

Honorable Mention:

Cam Reddish, Atlanta Hawks: 9.3 points, 3.9 rebounds, 1.5 assists

Reddish has scored in double figures in each of his last five games for the first time this season. He is averaging 14.8 points during that stretch and is converting 41.4% of his attempts from beyond the arc. His shooting numbers have improved each month, a sign he is becoming more comfortable.

De’Andre Hunter, Atlanta Hawks: 12.2 points, 3.8 rebounds, 1.8 assists

Hunter is up to eighth in scoring among all rookies and is two games removed from scoring 25 points for the Hawks. Hunter is progressing well in his rookie campaign and could find himself among those invited to the Rising Stars game at All-Star Weekend.

Darius Garland, Cleveland Cavaliers: 12.2 points, 3.6 assists, 1.9 rebounds

Garland had scored in double figures in 15 straight games before managing just six points on Monday night against the Detroit Pistons. That streak was easily his best of the season after averaging 14.9 points per game during that time frame.

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