Golden State Warriors forward Yaxel Lendeborg, this year’s No. 11 pick, has risen to No. 1 on Jeff Zillgitt’s Kia Rookie Ladder, NBA.com reported Wednesday, a new top two that also installed Sacramento Kings guard Darius Acuff Jr. at No. 2.
“Just six players are averaging at least 20 points, 7.0 rebounds and 4.0 assists this season, and Lendeborg is the only rookie, right there with Luka Doncic, Alperen Sengun, Nikola Jokic, Giannis Antetokounmpo and Scottie Barnes,” Zillgitt wrote. The league site framed Lendeborg as another emerging piece alongside Steph Curry during the Warriors’ eight-game winning streak. Acuff “leads rookies in points, assists and minutes, has three double-doubles in points-assists and is just the second player in NBA history to score 30+ points and have 10+ assists in multiple games before turning 20. LeBron James is the other,” Zillgitt wrote. The rest of the Top 10 was slated for the NBA App later Wednesday, NBA.com said, and is not included here. Cam Boozer and the Memphis Grizzlies host the Denver Nuggets tonight, and AJ Dybantsa and the Washington Wizards visit the Indiana Pacers, the site noted.