| RANK | ROOKIE | RUNDOWN | RECENT |
| 1 |  |
MICHAEL CARTER-WILLIAMS, G, PHILADELPHIA: Leads all rookies in minutes, points, assists, steals, 3-pointers made, free throws made, steals and double-doubles. He is even third in rebounds at five per game. This is how Damian Lillard started last season, and he never let up. We all know how that turned out. | – |
| 2 |  |
VICTOR OLADIPO, G, ORLANDO: You have to love his consistency. He has scored in double figures in every game, helping the Magic to a surprising 3-2 start of their own. Playing both guard spots has him leading all rooks in turnovers but that was somewhat expected. Jacque Vaughn has to find more minutes for him. | – |
| 3 |  |
NATE WOLTERS, G, MILWAUKEE: Injuries to Brandon Knight and Luke Ridnour could have made him a deer in the headlights, but the second-round pick has held his own. From what we have seen, the lefthander makes very good decisions in the pick-and-roll, values the ball and has a varied offensive game that includes a floater. | – |
| 4 |  |
BEN MCLEMORE, G, SACRAMENTO: After a sputtering 2-of-9 start, he found a rhythm, ringing up 34 points and 10 rebounds while knocking down 14-of-29 shots in his last two games. But we watched one game last week where he was absolutely lost on defense. And he should be getting to the line a lot more. | – |
| 5 |  |
KELLY OLYNYK, F-C, BOSTON: You don’t have to watch very long to figure out he can play. He runs the floor, sets good screens, boxes out and has solid post footwork. And at the end of games, it is Olynyk and not Vitor Faverani on the court for Brad Stevens. But folks said he could shoot, and so far that’s not the case. | – |
| 6 |  |
VITOR FAVERANI, C, BOSTON: Already 25 and has been playing in Spain since he was 17. The only rookie besides MCW with a double-double, going for 12 and 18 vs. the Bucks. But in three games since, he is just 13-11 with diminishing minutes. The Brazilian may lose his starting spot unless he defends better. | – |
| 7 |  |
KENTAVIOUS CALDWELL-POPE, G, DETROIT: If we’re gonna refer to Carter-Williams as MCW, then Caldwell-Pope is KCP. Now that Brandon Jennings is back, his three letters might be DNP. That’s too bad, because KCP defended, made shots and scored 11.7 points in 26.7 minutes in three games with Jennings out. | – |
| 8 |  |
STEVEN ADAMS, C, OKLAHOMA CITY: Averaging more points and rebounds in roughly the same minutes as starter Kendrick Perkins, who’s not happy about the time-share in the middle. All of his shots have been in the paint, which is a good thing. Maybe the Thunder will get something out of the James Harden trade after all. | – |
| 9 |  |
TIM HARDAWAY JR., G, NEW YORK: On a star-studded roster amid the bright lights of Broadway, there hasn’t been a tentative bone in his body. However, his overexuberance has led to some very poor shot selection (32 percent). J.R. Smith is back, so we will see how much Hardaway plays going forward. | – |
| 10 |  |
DENNIS SCHRODER, G, ATLANTA: Clearly Atlanta’s backup point guard, at least until Lou Williams gets back, which should be a while. His 168-pound frame makes it difficult for him to finish around the rim, but he apparently has a streak of toughness. Some folks have compared him to Roddy Beaubois. Let’s hope he is sturdier. | – |
DROPOUTS: None.
FIVE TO WATCH: Pero Antic, C, Atlanta; Anthony Bennett, F, Cleveland; Dionte Christmas, G, Phoenix; Gal Mekel, G, Dallas; Cody Zeller, C, Charlotte.
PREVIOUS RANKINGS: Power | Rookie
Chris Bernucca is the deputy editor of SheridanHoops.com. His columns appear Monday during the season. You can follow him on Twitter.
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