Fantasy Basketball Rookie Update: Victor Wembanyama, Chet Holmgren, Jaime Jaquez Jr. and More

NBA teams have played around 30 games this season, which makes it a perfect time to take a look at some stats. 

Today, let’s dive into some rookies that are making a difference on the court.

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Season-Long Standouts

To the surprise of few, San Antonio Spurs’ Victor Wembanyama is the leading scorer among rookies, averaging 18.3 points per game. His percentages (43.3% overall and 27.8% from 3-point land) aren’t all that impressive, but he’s getting about three more field goal attempts per game than any other rookie.

Wemby is also averaging 10.6 rebounds, 3 blocks, 2.8 assists and 1.3 steals per game, while committing 3.3 turnovers and 2.5 fouls. 

Wembanyama had an average draft position of 20, so his 55th spot on the FantasySP trade value charts is kind of underwhelming. He’s still a guy that stuffs the stat sheet every night he plays, and should continue to improve as he gets more game experience.

Oklahoma City Thunder’s Chet Holmgren is second in scoring at 17.5 points per contest. He’s shooting 53.4% overall and 37.2% from deep.

Holmgren is also averaging 7.8 rebounds, 2.7 blocks, 2.5 assists and 0.8 steals, while committing 2.8 fouls and 1.7 turnovers. 

Holmgren currently sits 75th on the trade value charts after having an ADP of 58, so while he’s underperformed a bit so far, many fantasy owners have to be pleased with his play overall. He does plenty on the court to be a solid fantasy asset.

Charlotte Hornets’ Brandon Miller is third in scoring among rookies (14.6 points). The rookie is shooting 43.6% overall and 37.6% from deep.

Miller is currently dealing with an ankle injury, but isn’t expected to be out much longer. He’s averaging 4 rebounds, 2.2 assists, 0.6 steals and 0.5 blocks, while committing 2.8 fouls and 1.7 turnovers.

Miller currently sits 164th on the trade value charts, although he dropped a decent amount after missing a game. Miller had an ADP of 114, so even without the recent drop in his player rating, he’s underwhelmed this season. Our charts show he’s owned in 71% of leagues, so his upcoming games are worth monitoring in case he gets hot at some point.

Miami Heat’s Jaime Jaquez Jr. is averaging 13.7 points per game on 51.6% shooting overall and 37.9% 3-point shooting.

Jaquez is also averaging 3.9 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 1 steal and 0.3 blocks, while committing 2.5 fouls and 1.6 turnovers.

Jaquez doesn’t even appear on our ADP charts, and currently sits 100th in the trade value charts, so he’s been one of the surprise fantasy players - not just for rookies, but in the entire NBA. His averages (outside points) don’t really jump off the page, but he’s playing a ton of minutes, which makes him a solid fantasy asset.

Others Worth Mentioning

Utah Jazz rookie Keyonte George has been pretty solid this season. He’s averaging 10.9 points, 5 assists, 2.9 rebounds, 0.5 steals and 0.1 blocks, while committing 2.3 turnovers and 1.2 fouls per game. 

George has scored in double figures 11 times and finished with 10 or more assists on three occasions. In order to be a bit more relevant fantasy player, you’d like to see George add a bit more from a rebound and steal perspective.

Portland Trail Blazers’ Scoot Henderson is averaging 26.2 minutes across his 20 games played (including five starts). He’s also averaging 11.1 points, 4.5 assists, 2.6 rebounds, 0.6 steals and 0.2 blocks, while committing 3 turnovers and 3.7 fouls. 

Henderson has scored in double figures 13 times this season, and finished with 10 or more assists twice. Much like George, he’d be a better fantasy asset if he could provide some more rebounds and steals.

Golden State Warriors’ Brandin Podziemski is a guy I covered in a waiver wire story earlier this week, but he’s worth mentioning again here. Podziemski is averaging 8.9 points, 5.4 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 steal and 0.2 blocks, while committing 1.8 fouls and 1.4 turnovers.

He’s getting starts for the Warriors now, and has scored in double figures in all but two of his starts. Podziemski didn’t get much love during drafts, but is up to 162nd on the trade value charts now.

Dallas Mavericks’ Dereck Lively II is the last rookie I want to mention this week. He’s averaging 9.2 points, 7.7 rebounds, 1.5 blocks, 1.1 assists and 0.6 steals, while committing 3.1 fouls and 1.2 turnovers. Lively has started all but one of the 25 games he’s appeared in.

Lively is up to 160th on the trade value charts after having an ADP of 208. He looks like a staple in the Mavericks’ rotation, not only for this season, but for years to come.