In keeping with the official NBA Rookies of the Month, Draft Digest will publish our own Rookie of the Month award starting in November.
The NBA Draft 2022 class got off to a relatively hot start in October and continued that excellence in the following months.
Here are the picks for what was an exciting November slate:
Eastern Conference
Benoit Mathurin, Indiana Pacers
No surprise here. With Orlando’s Paolo Ranchero out for a good chunk of games, Mathurin was left alone to shine as one of the best rookies, and quite honestly, players in the league.
Mathurin averaged 18.5 points, 3.8 rebounds and 1.2 assists per game in 13 games in November, posting a high 30 in the points category.
The Pacers finished 9-4 in that span, and undoubtedly don’t have the start of their season without Mathurin’s help.
Western Conference
Alonzo Adams – USA TODAY Sports
Jalen Williams, Oklahoma City Thunder
Perhaps more surprisingly, Oklahoma City’s Jalen Williams wins the top Draft Digest Western Conference Rookie of the Month award.
In full transparency, we know these picks are similar to the official NBA picks, but that’s simply because they’re right.
Averaging 10.9 points on 51% shooting in 16 games, it’s hard to justify the others against Williams in November.
Houston’s Jabari Smith Jr. scored more points per game but shot just 37 percent from the field. Atlanta’s AJ Griffin got closer in fewer minutes, but didn’t do as much in terms of assists, rebounds, etc.
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