NBA official rookie rankings updated: Knupel surpasses Flagler to claim top spot; Laver of the Trail Blazers rises to 8th

On January 21st Beijing time, the NBA official site published the newest rookie rankings. The Hornets’ 4th pick Knupel surpassed the number one pick Flagler to take the lead. Trail Blazers undrafted player Laver improved by one rank from last week, now at 8th. The detailed list is as follows—

1. Kon Knupel, Hornets

Season stats: averaging 19 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 3.5 assists per game

Previous rank: 2nd

Draft position: 4th overall

Knupel and Doncic share the record as the fastest players in NBA history to reach 100 two-point shots, 100 three-point shots, and 100 free throws. This season, he has made 143 three-pointers, ranking third in the league, behind only Warriors’ Curry (154) and Cavaliers’ Mitchell (153).

2. Cooper Flagler, Mavericks

Season stats: averaging 18.8 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 4.1 assists per game

Previous rank: 1st

Draft position: first overall pick

The previous ranking article praised Flagler and Knupel’s consistent attendance, but that same night, Flagler sprained his ankle against the Nuggets, missing two games. However, he quickly bounced back, scoring 18 points, 7 rebounds, and 3 assists in the Mavericks’ big win over the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden on Tuesday, showing impressive form.

3. VJ Echikum, 76ers

Season stats: averaging 15.8 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 4.2 assists per game

Previous rank: 3rd

Draft position: third overall pick

Echikum’s heated argument with All-Star teammate Maxey on the backcourt sparked much discussion on social media. However, 76ers coach Nash viewed it positively: “Their dispute was purely competitive, both wanting to play the ball well.”

4. Derrick Quinn, Pelicans

Season stats: averaging 12.6 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 4.3 assists per game

Previous rank: 4th

Draft position: 13th overall

Increasing his aggressiveness in rebounding was a goal Quinn set for himself. Indeed, in his 11 games with double-digit rebounds this season, 5 occurred in the last two weeks. In January, he averaged 10.7 points, 9.2 rebounds, and 5.4 assists, continuously demonstrating the versatile skills of a playmaking center.

5. Cedric Coward, Grizzlies

Season stats: averaging 14 points, 6.5 rebounds, and 2.9 assists per game

Previous rank: 5th

Draft position: 11th overall

In the last five games, Coward’s individual plus-minus is an impressive +46, while the entire Grizzlies team’s plus-minus is only +8. When asked recently about the typical rookie wall challenge, he gave a calm response but admitted his confident remarks then also contained a bit of forced bravado.

Players ranked 6th to 10th are: 6. Reno (Kings), 7. Jemin (Nets), 8. Laver (Trail Blazers), 9. Fells (Pelicans), 10. Dylan Harper (Spurs).