The 2021-22 NBA schedule continues to cruise along as the NBA season has rolled into 2022 with play around the NBA starting up in January. As teams start to make a run at the playoffs and players continue to put together resumes to take home honors around the NBA, the league’s top rookies continue to make a name for themselves as they slowly transition into the next faces of the game. 

As you look around the NBA many new young faces have emerged from the 2021 NBA Draft class to make an immediate impact on their teams as well as the NBA standings. In all eight different rookies are averaging at least double digits to start the season while four of those are averaging at least 15 points a game. 

In addition to the Top 10 NBA Rookies 2021-22, Evan Mobley has the Cleveland Cavaliers in a spot to make the playoffs. Other top rookies include Franz Wagner, Cade Cunningham, Scottie Barnes, Jalen Green and Chris Duarte.

With that said, here is our list of the Top 10 NBA Rookies

Honorable Mention

Alperen Sengun

Team: Houston Rockets

Coming in just outside of the Top 10 NBA Rookies as of January is the Houston Rockets rookie Alperen Sengun. The Rockets big man has appeared in 35 games this season while averaging 18.4 minutes per game. 

In his time on the floor, Sengun is averaging nine points a game to go along with 4.8 rebounds and 2.6 assists per game. With the struggles of the Rockets this team, Sengun has had trouble finding consistent play night in and night out. 

David Duke Jr.

Team: Brooklyn Nets

When you play with the likes of James Harden and Kevin Durant, the opportunity to shine comes in limited space. However, David Duke Jr is playing well averaging 7.2 points a game to go along with six rebounds and 1.2 assists per game. 

On the year, the rookie guard is averaging nearly 24.3 minutes per game. Over his last five games, Duke Jr saw his play increase due to COVID-19 issues. In three of those five games he played at least 32 minutes while posting two double doubles in those contests. 

Top 10 NBA Rookies

10. Omer Yurtseven

Team: Miami Heat

One rookie is slowly emerging as a Top 10 NBA Rookies in 2021-22 is the Miami Heat center Omer Yurtseven. The Miami Heat center is averaging 5.2 points to go along with 5.7 rebounds per game this season. 

However, his recent play has shown his abilities as he has posted three double doubles in his last four games while averaging 11.75 points a game, 15 rebounds and two steals per contest. This type of production has given the Heat another weapon as they look to make a run in the Eastern Conference playoffs.

9. Davion Mitchell

Team: Sacramento Kings

The Sacramento Kings rookie is ranked 5th in the NBA among all rookies in assists and 9th among rookies in scoring per game. On the year, Davion Mitchell is averaging 9.6 points a game to go along with 3.4 assists and 2.3 rebounds per game. 

In three of his last five games, Mitchell has posted double digits while the Kings were 3-0 in those contests while failing to win either of the other two games in which he failed to post double digit points. 

8. Jalen Suggs

Team: Orlando Magic

Jalen Suggs is living up to the expectations that many set on him as he helped the Gonzaga Bulldogs to success over the past few seasons. Suggs, who the Orlando Magic drafted with the fifth overall draft pick during the 2021 NBA Draft is averaging 12.3 points a game this season to go along with 3.4 rebounds and 3.6 assists per game. 

While Suggs has been off the court since late November, when he was on the floor prior to his thumb injury he was one of the top rookies in the NBA. Suggs is expected to slowly begin rehab to get back to the floor.

7. Chris Duarte

Team: Indiana Pacers

One of the bright lights for the Indiana Pacers during the 2021-22 NBA schedule has been the play of shooting guard Chris Duarte. Duarte, who the team selected with the 13th overall pick during the 2021 NBA Draft out of Oregon is averaging 13.2 points a game to go along with four rebounds and 2.2 assists. 

The Pacers guard ranks 6th among all rookies in points per game this season, 12th in rebounds per game and 12th in assists per game. Duarte has shown the poise to be a future leader for the Pacers as they start to rebuild with young talented stars.

6. Josh Giddey

Team: Oklahoma City Thunder

How can you not like what Josh Giddey has done during the 2021-22 NBA season. The Oklahoma City Thunder rookie is putting together a brilliant rookie campaign averaging 11 points a game to go along with 7.3 rebounds and 6.4 assists. 

Giddey became one of only two players to ever post a double without scoring a point as well as the youngest player to ever post a triple double with his 17 point, 13 rebound and 14 assists performance against the Dallas Mavericks. Over his last five games, Giddey is averaging 13.4 points to go along with 7.8 rebounds and eight assists to go along with 1.6 steals. 

5. Jalen Green

Team: Houston Rockets

Jalen Green continues to see consistent playing time with a Houston Rockets team that has had a ton of issues on both sides of the floor this season. Despite their struggles, Green is averaging 15.3 points a game to go along with 2.2 assists and 2.9 rebounds. 

Green currently ranks 4th among all rookies in scoring trailing just Scottie Barnes, Cade Cunningham and Franz Wagner. Green has posted at least 20 points in three of his last five games since returning to the Rockets rotation in late December.

4. Franz Wagner

Team: Orlando Magic

Coming in at number four on the Top 10 NBA Rookies Week of January 3rd, 2022 is the Orlando Magic rookie Franz Wagner. Wagner who played his college ball for the Michigan Wolverines has been a key contributor for the Magic all season while ranking in the top 100 players in the NBA in points per game, rebounds per game and assists per game. 

Wagner is averaging 15.9 points a game to go along with 4.6 rebounds and 2.7 assists. Over his last 10 games, Wagner is averaging 20.3 points a game to go along with 5.2 rebounds and 2.4 assists. 

3. Scottie Barnes

Team: Toronto Raptors

One of the most polished rookies on the floor this season is the Toronto Raptors star Scottie Barnes. Barnes currently ranks 3rd among all rookies in scoring averaging 15.4 points a game tied with Cade Cunningham. 

In addition, Barnes ranks second among all rookies averaging 8.1 rebounds per game and fourth among all rookies in assists with 3.4 per game. Barnes has seen his production increase in his last seven games as he has averaged 16.3 points per game to go along with 8.4 rebounds and 4.1 assists.

2. Evan Mobley

Team: Cleveland Cavaliers

Possibly the one major impact player of the group so far in 2021-22 is the Cleveland Cavaliers center Evan Mobley who has helped the team turn into a playoff caliber team. Mobley has been hot over his last six games averaging 18.2 points a game to go along with seven rebounds, 2.7 assists and 1.2 blocks per game. 

Mobley leads all rookies in rebounds per game with 8.2 per game and fifth among all rookies in scoring with 14.8 per game. With Mobley playing at a high level, the Cavaliers have the potential to contend in the Eastern Conference.

1. Cade Cunningham

Team: Detroit Pistons

At the top of the list is the Detroit Pistons star Cade Cunningham who entered the season as the potential top overall rookie. While injuries have slowed him in 2020-21, Cunningham is slowly showcasing his abilities as one of the top young stars and rookies in the NBA. 

Cunningham ranks 2nd in points per game among all rookies averaging 15.4 per game, 4th in rebounds per game with 6.2 per game and second in assists per game with 5.3 per contest. Over his last six games, Cunningham is averaging 16 points a game to go along with 6.2 rebounds, 7.8 assists, one block and 1.3 steals per game. 

So who do you have as your leading candidate 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