There are only five weeks left in the regular season, and the Rookie of the Year race is nearing the homestretch.
Evan Mobley, Scottie Barnes and Cade Cunningham have started to separate themselves from the rest of the rookies this season. Mobley and Barnes went head-to-head Sunday evening, and both had exceptional games.
There’s a newcomer to the top five this month: Chicago Bulls guard Ayo Dosunmu is completely outplaying his draft position after being the 38th pick and has started every game since the All-Star break.
Here’s a look at Yahoo Sports’ updated NBA rookie power rankings.
Previous rank: No. 1
2021-22 stats: 14.6 ppg, 8.2 rpg
Mobley is Yahoo Sports’ pick to win Rookie of the Year this season and continues to surpass any early expectations the Cavaliers had for the 7-footer out of USC when they drafted him third overall. Mobley leads all rookies in blocked shots with 89 and also leads in rebounds with 437. In his most recent game against the Toronto Raptors, Mobley finished with 20 points, 17 rebounds, four assists, three blocks and shot 60% from the field. He is the first Cavaliers rookie with a 20-point, 15-rebound game since LeBron James.
Previous rank: No. 5
2021-22 stats: 14.9 ppg, 7.6 rpg, 3.3 apg
Barnes and Mobley went head-to-head Sunday night, and Mobley came out with the win and played one of his best games of the season. Barnes played just as great, netting 19 points, 12 rebounds and six assists. If Mobley is the favorite for Rookie of the Year (-350 at BetMGM), Barnes is making a strong case late in the season (+550 at BetMGM). He’s averaging 18.6 points and nine rebounds since the All-Star break and continues to lead all rookies in offensive rebounds with 142. Barnes has recorded nine double-doubles and just passed Danny Green on the Raptors’ all-time scoring list with 817 points.
Previous rank: No. 2
2021-22 stats: 16.3 ppg, 5.8 rpg, 5.1 apg
Cunningham has scored 20-plus points in the last three games and recorded his sixth double-double of the season in a win over the Raptors with 22 points and 12 rebounds. The 6-foot-6 point guard is leading all rookies in points per game, averaging 16.3 points and is second in assists with 255. Cunningham was named the Rising Star MVP during All-Star weekend and was named the Eastern Conference Rookie of the Month for January. He looks more and more comfortable on the court as the season goes on. This might turn into a three-man race for Rookie of the Year.
Previous rank: No. 4
2021-22 stats: 15.6 ppg, 4.7 rpg, 3 apg
Wagner has played and started in every game this season and is only one of five players in the league to do so. Since the All-Star break, he’s averaging 16.4 points per game and has put up 20 or more points 15 times this season. He continues to lead all rookies in total minutes played and field goals made.
Previous rank: No. 9
2021-22 stats: 8.4 ppg, 3.2 apg
The Chicago native has started every game for the Bulls since the All-Star break after being named a Rising Star this season. Dosunmu has showcased his athleticism all season and is seeing his minutes increase. Dosunmu is one of the best defenders in the rookie class and is one of the best guards in turning defense into offense.
“It’s definitely fun playing with him,” teammate DeMar DeRozan said after a win over the Boston Celtics. “He’s an incredible basketball player and whatever I can do to help him or the team, I’m definitely going to do that.”
Previous rank: No. 3
2021-22 stats: 12.5 ppg, 7.8 rpg, 6.4 apg
Giddey has been sidelined with a hip injury since Feb. 24. The Australian guard was named the Western Conference Rookie of the Month for the third consecutive month. In his last game, Giddey and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander combined for 47 points. Giddey is a phenomenal passer and has almost 100 more assists than any other rookie in the class with 345.
Previous rank: No. 10
2021-22 stats: 15.3 ppg, 3.3 rpg, 2.5 apg
Green dropped 24 points in a recent win over the Memphis Grizzlies. The bouncy shooting guard had a tough showing during the Slam Dunk contest but continues to have impressive in-game dunks. Green has scored 20-plus points in 14 games this season and is shooting 40% from the field.
Previous rank: No. 6
2021-22 stats: 9.4 ppg, 4 rpg, 2.1 apg
Like Dosunmu, Jones was a second-round pick (No. 35) who is outplaying his draft stock. The 6-foot-7 wing leads all rookies in steals with 92 and has been a great 3-and-D addition to the Pelicans. Jones continues to see his role expand on the court and finds ways to impact the game without putting up huge numbers each night.
Previous rank: Honorable mention
2021-22 stats: 8.4 ppg, 3 rpg
In his most recent game, Kuminga put up 18 points in 29 minutes in a loss to the Los Angeles Lakers. His role continues to increase, and he’s provided great spurts off the bench. When Kuminga plays 20-plus minutes in a game, he’s averaging 16.4 points and 4.7 rebounds.
Previous rank: No. 8
2021-22 stats: 12.5 ppg, 4.5 apg
Suggs continues to get a ton of minutes and reps on a struggling Magic team. Markelle Fultz is back and R.J. Hampton is healthy. There’s a ton of young talent in the backcourt, and Suggs is a plug-and-play guy who is just as good off the ball than when he’s the primary ball handler.
Honorable Mention
Chris Duarte, Indiana Pacers
Cam Thomas, Brooklyn Nets
Bones Hyland, Denver Nuggets
