The future of the NBA has arrived as the 2021 NBA Draft Class continues to shine night in and night out as new faces of the game are created. As you look around the NBA immediate contributions from the rookies of the NBA are seen including with the likes of the Cleveland Cavaliers who have made a huge stride during the 2021-2022 NBA schedule led by rookie Evan Mobley.

Meanwhile in Toronto another young star in Scottie Barnes has the Toronto Raptors playing as one of the Top NBA teams in the Eastern Conference. While this group of rookies may not feature the big name as some of the other recent draft classes such as Zion Williamson, it does have one of the better all around groups of stars who will take the league to the next generation. 

Currently nine different players are averaging at least 10 points a game while two additional players are both averaging over nine points a game.  The 2021-22 NBA Draft class also features Cade Cunningham, Jalen Green, Chris Duarte, Franz Wagner, Jalen Suggs, Duane Washingon Jr and Davion Mitchell.

With that said, here is our list of the Top 10 NBA Rookies as of February 7th, 2022.

Honorable Mention

Herbert Jones

Team: New Orleans Pelicans

The 2nd round pick of the 2021 NBA Draft by the New Orleans Pelicans is making the best of his time on the floor this year as he is currently averaging 9.6 points per game to go along with 3.8 rebounds and two assists per game. 

In addition, Jones is shooting 49.7 percent from the field while posting a 37.2 percent mark from behind the three point line. Among all rookies, Jones ranks 11th in scoring per game, 16th in rebounds per game and 15th in assists per game. 

Bones Hyland

Team: Denver Nuggets

One new name to the list of the Top 10 NBA Rookies as the 2021-22 NBA Schedule moves into February is the Denver Nuggets 1st round selection Bones Hyland. Hyland, who played his college basketball at VCU is averaging 8.3 points a game to go along with 2.6 rebounds and 1.9 assists per game. 

The Nuggets young point guard has the potential to be a key star moving forward for a team that has a top 10 star in Nikola Jokic. Hyland ranks 14th among all the NBA rookies in scoring and 29th in rebounds per game.

Top 10 NBA Rookies

10. Davion Mitchell

Team: Sacramento Kings

While the Sacramento Kings have struggled to play consistent basketball as they currently sit near the bottom of the Western Conference, the future of the team is in the young talent that the team continues to acquire. One of those future stars is the former Baylor Bears star Davion Mitchell who is putting together a solid rookie campaign. 

Mitchell is currently averaging 10.3 points a game to go along with 2.2 rebounds and 3.4 assists per game. However, Mitchell has been red hot of late averaging 15.8 points a game to go along with two rebounds and 4.5 assists over the team’s last 10 games. 

9. Jalen Suggs

Team: Orlando Magic

One of the young up and coming teams in the NBA, the Orlando Magic has a few young stars to build around as they look to make big strides in the Eastern Conference. One of those young stars is the former Gonzaga Bulldogs guard Jalen Suggs who the team drafted with the 5th overall pick. 

Suggs is averaging 12.6 points a game this season to go along with 3.8 rebounds and 4.3 assists per game. While he has struggled from the field shooting just 24.8 percent from three point territory and just 36.8 percent from the field, Suggs has shown his ability to be a key threat for the Magic at times this season.

8. Duane Washington Jr.

Team: Indiana Pacers

Coming in at number eight on the Top 10 NBA Rookies Week of February 7th, 2022 list is the Indiana Pacers rookie point guard Duane Washington Jr who is making his first appearance on the list. 

Washington, who played his college ball at Ohio State, has slowly become a key role player for an Indiana Pacers team that features other top rookie Chris Duarte as well as Terry Taylor who has just joined the team. Washington Jr is averaging 9.7 points a game to go with 1.9 rebounds and two assists per game.

7. Chris Duarte

Team:  Indiana Pacers

A second Indiana Pacers rookie to join the list is the former Oregon Ducks star Chris Duarte who was taken 13th overall during the 2021 NBA Draft. 

Duarte who averaged 17.1 points a game to go along with 4.2 rebounds and 2.7 assists last season for the Ducks is averaging 13.3 points per game through his first 47 games this season while also averaging 4.2 rebounds and 2.2 assists. 

Duarte ranks 6th among all rookies in scoring and 13th in rebounds. On the year, the Pacers rookie has started 35 of the 42 games he has appeared in while averaging 28.9 minutes per game.

6. Jalen Green

Team: Houston Rockets

It’s not easy being a member of the Houston Rockets this season as the team looks to find the future while lacking the top tier stars such as Russell Westbrook or James Harden. Nonetheless one young star to watch and a possible star for the team moving forward is the 2nd overall pick during the 2021 NBA Draft Jalen Green. 

Green, who is 6’4’’ has the size and speed to play the guard position while also having a solid shot to make him a true threat. Green is averaging 14.4 points a game this year to go along with 3.3 rebounds and 2.4 assists. 

5. Evan Mobley

Team: Cleveland Cavaliers

The biggest surprise possible around the NBA during the 2021-22 NBA season has been the Cleveland Cavaliers who continue to hold onto a playoff spot within the Eastern Conference. Some of that success has come from the addition of the team’s talented young stars including the 3rd overall pick from USC this past season. 

Mobley currently ranks 1st in the NBA among all rookies in rebounds and 3rd among all rookies in scoring this season. In his season stats he is averaging 14.9 points a game to go along with 8.1 rebounds and 2.6 assists per game. The future in Cleveland is bright with Mobley on the floor.

4. Scottie Barnes

Team: Toronto Raptors

Like the Cleveland Cavaliers, the Toronto Raptors are one of the teams this season that is using the success of their rookie class to make them a playoff caliber team. One of those rookies is the former Florida State star Scottie Barnes who the Raptors selected with the 4th overall pick during the 2021 NBA Draft. 

Barnes ranks 4th in scoring among all rookies (14.7 ppg), 2nd in rebounds per game (7.8 rpg) and 5th in assists (3.4 apg). Over his last ten games, Barnes is averaging 15.6 points to go along with 7.2 rebounds and 2.9 assists.

3. Josh Giddey

Team: Oklahoma City Thunder

The Australian born shooting guard is slowly emerging as one of the top young shooters in the NBA after being selected by the Oklahoma City Thunder with the 6th overall pick during the 2021 NBA Draft. 

Giddey who attended the NBA Global Academy has been a solid scoring threat this season for the Thunder despite the lack of top tier talent surrounding him. Giddey is averaging 12 points a game to go along with 7.5 rebounds and 6.1 assists per game. The Thunder rookie ranks 8th in points per game, 3rd in rebounds and 1st in assists among all rookies.  

2. Franz Wagner

Team: Orlando Magic

As far as the case as who is the best rookie from the 2021 NBA Draft, Franz Wagner for the Orlando Magic is making a strong case. The Magic 2021 draft pick ranks 6th among all rookies in assists, 11th in rebounds and 2nd in scoring through the first few months of the regular season. 

Overall the 8th overall pick is averaging 15.7 points a game this season to go along with 4.5 rebounds and 2.9 assists. While Wagner has struggled at times, he has shot better of late shooting 53.2 percent from the field and 38.2 percent from behind the three point line.

1. Cade Cunningham

Team: Detroit Pistons

Landing at number one on the Top 10 NBA Rookies the Week of February 7th, 2022 is the top overall draft pick from the 2021 NBA Draft class Cade Cunningham. While Cunningham has battled injuries during his rookie season, it’s his production on the floor when he plays that showcases his talent and abilities among the 2021 NBA draft class. 

Cunningham leads all rookies in scoring averaging 15.8 points a game while ranking 7th in rebounds (5.5 rpg) and 2nd in assists (5.2). While the season has been a disaster for the Detroit Pistons, the future looks bright with Cunningham on the floor.

So who do you have as your leading candidate in the KIA Rookie Ladder for  Rookie of the Year in the 2021-2022 NBA Season? Rank below to be added in the Power Rankings and to have a chance to win a gift card to LAZADA, Amazon, Fanatics.com, or more that is specific to you. Join the contest by ranking below.

Related Links:

• Top 10 NBA Teams 2021 Rankings