The 2022 NBA Draft is over, and now everybody talks about the hottest candidates for the 2023 NBA Rookie of the Year award. Plenty of fresh talent will hit the biggest stage, and it’s up to them to present their capabilities. Summer League gave us a hint on what we can expect this season, and we have analyzed the biggest prospects to win this prestigious award.
Jabari Smith, Houston Rockets, Forward
This 6-foot-10 forward should provide an infusion of talent for the Houston Rockets this season. Smith comes from an impressive college season, averaging 16.9 pts per match and hitting 42% of his attempts outside the arc. Jabari’s consistency for the Tigers can make him a cornerstone player for the Rockets. Many safe gambling online sites see him among the hottest candidates to win the award. If Smith picks up where he left off, he’ll have very good chances of becoming the 2023 NBA Rookie of the Year.
Paolo Banchero, Orlando Magic, Forward
Banchero is the 2022 NBA Draft pick number one, and it is natural that he is among the top contenders for the award. Last season, he was a leading Duke player in the team’s quest to the Final 4, and many experts consider him the most NBA-ready prospect. Paolo’s scoring capabilities are very diverse, which he showed last season by scoring 17.2 points per match. He checks all boxes to become a star NBA player in the future. The first step towards that achievement could be the NBA ROY Award.
Jaden Ivey, Detroit Pistons, Guard
Jaden Ivey enjoyed a significant improvement last year at the Boilermakers, where his athletism emerged as his biggest strength. We could see him blow past defenders, and that ability helped him produce 17.3 pts per game last season. Jaden’s field-goal percentage was close to 50% (46%), and he’s capable of scoring from pretty much every position.
Keegan Murray, Sacramento Kings, Forward
Murray heads to the NBA stage after being the best college player last season, leading the Hawkeyes. He’s among the hottest prospects for the award, especially since Chet Holmgren will miss the entire season due to an injury. His numbers were excellent last season, averaging a 55% field-goal percentage and 23.5 points per match. Murray’s consistency has been stunning, as he scored 20+ points in 26 games last season. Sacramento Kings should benefit from this player if they give him freedom on the court and significant playing time.
Bennedict Mathurin, Indiana Pacers, Wing
The Pacers got a very interesting prospect that could become their key player this season. Mathurin improved his game a lot over the past two campaigns, and he’s ready for serious NBA action. His stats could make him a go-to player for Indiana after scoring 17.7 pts and 5.6 rebs per game for the Wildcats last season. Moreover, his impact and stats were much greater and better, considering only the final 15 games of the season.
These youngsters have already shown a lot of talent, and they need to continue their development in the most famous basketball competition in the world. The season could be full of ups and downs, but we believe some of these young stars might win the 2023 NBA Rookie of the Year Award.
