Karl-Anthony Towns (Photo : NBAE via Getty Images)
Plenty of NBA youngsters have already shown their potential with just three weeks into the 2015-2016 NBA regular season as the Rookie of the Year Award competition is beginning to circle around the league's young talented big men.
CBS Sports and USA Today have provided their own list of the NBA Rookie Rankings, but this edition would be for the overall performance of the top rookies close to contention for the ROY Award.
1. Karl-Anthony Towns - Minnesota Timberwolves, Center
Towns has been showing what fans and his team are expecting of him. In his first 12 games, the No.1 overall pick in this year's NBA draft averaged 15.8 points per game and leads all other NBA rookies in rebounds (10.7) and blocks (2.4).
Towns posted a double-double 21 points and 12 rebounds on his best shooting performance (66.7 percent) in the Timberwolves' 104-101 loss to the Orlando Magic. His game-saving block showed he can be a legitimate defensive force for the Wolves.
Playing with veteran Kevin Garnett has helped Towns adjust in the league, but his overall skill set, maturity, and NBA readiness are his advantage among other rookies.
2. Jahlil Okafor - Philadelphia 76ers, Center
Okafor has not tasted a win yet in his rookie season, but his drive to success has helped him put up solid numbers for the 76ers.
He leads all rookies in points with 18.8 per game, but for a center, the No. 3 overall pick only averages 7.5 rebounds, while posting 1.7 blocks a game.
Okafor is never known for his defensive skills and he may need to develop them to claim the rookie of the year title, and hopefully a win for the 76ers.
In the 76ers' loss to the Indiana Pacers, Okafor contributed with 14 points, but only had six rebounds.
3. Kristaps Porzingis - New York Knicks, Center
The Latvian youngster, taken as 4th overall pick by the Knicks, has been storming the NBA's highlight reels lately. But his vicious put back slams are just the tip of the iceberg.
The "Zinger" is only averaging 12.8 points and 8.6 rebounds, but he has only played 25.3 minutes so far.
Prozingis scored a career-high 29 points and grabbed 11 rebounds in the Knicks' win over the Charlotte Hornets.
His length and size are creating matchup nightmares on both ends, and numbers should go high for Porzingis if he gets more minutes from Derek Fisher.
4. Emannuel Mudiay - Denver Nuggets, Point Guard
Mudiay's ability as a point guard has been doubted by critics, but so far, he has been the better PG in this year's draft class, averaging 11.4 points and 6.4 assists per game.
Mudiay has led the Nuggets to an unexpected 6-5 start, considering the injuries and lack of key players surrounding him. However, a major concern for the 19-year-old PG is his turnover (4.3 per game).
Mudiay needs to work on minimizing his errors, although it seems he has been trying to prevent turnovers in his last two outings against the New Orleans Pelicans and the San Antonio Spurs.
5. Justise Winslow - Miami Heat, Small Forward
Winslow has been the surprise in the Rookie of the Year race. He is proving to be worth more than just a 10th overall pick.
Winslow is the only top ROY candidate to play off the bench, but his numbers show he could do more for the Heat.
Gerald Green's absence has helped Winslow develop his game and fit seamlessly under Erik Spoelstra's system. He is only averaging 7.3 points and 4.9 rebounds per game, but if given more minutes, he could show his full potential.
Honorable mentions:
6. D'Angelo Russell (Los Angeles Lakers)
7. Nemanja Bjelica (Minnesota Timberwolves)
8. TJ McConnell (Philadelphia 76ers)
9. Stanley Johnson (Detroit Pistons)
10. Rondae Hollis-Jefferson (Brooklyn Nets)
