Rookie of the Year winner Paolo Banchero was a unanimous choice for the 2022/23 All-Rookie First Team, the NBA announced today (via Twitter).
Players receive two points for a First Team vote and one point for a Second Team vote, and Banchero received the maximum possible 200 points.
Here’s the full five-man squad, listed in order of their total points received via voters:
Magic forward Banchero (200)- Thunder guard/forward Jalen Williams (199)
- Jazz center Walker Kessler (195)
- Kings forward Keegan Murray (185)
- Pacers guard Bennedict Mathurin (170)
The All-Rookie Second Team was announced as well, with a couple of teammates headlining the group (Twitter link).
- Pistons guard Jaden Ivey (142)
- Pistons center Jalen Duren (85)
- Rockets forward Jabari Smith (72)
- Spurs forward Jeremy Sochan (66)
- Rockets forward Tari Eason (47)
In my opinion, the most surprising omission from the All-Rookie Second Team was Pacers guard Andrew Nembhard, who received 46 points. Nembhard was actually listed on one more ballot than Eason, but Eason received two First Team votes versus Nembhard’s zero, giving him a narrow edge.
That’s not to say Eason (or anyone else) was undeserving — he had a strong season as a tenacious offensive rebounder and defender. I just thought Nembhard should have been honored because he started the majority of the season for a competitive Indiana team and was frequently tasked with guarding the opposing teams’ best player, as Scott Agness of Fieldhouse Files notes (via Twitter).
According to the NBA (Twitter link), others receiving votes included Trail Blazers guard Shaedon Sharpe (36), Hawks wing AJ Griffin (26), Nuggets forward Christian Braun, Thunder center Jaylin Williams (seven), Mavericks guard Jaden Hardy (four), Spurs guard Malaki Branham (three), Pelicans guard Dyson Daniels (two), Hornets center Mark Williams (two) and Bucks wing MarJon Beauchamp (one).
In case you missed it, more NBA awards will be coming later this week. The All-Defensive teams will be announced on Tuesday, followed by All-NBA on Wednesday and the Teammate of the Year award on Thursday.
Either Nembhard or Shaedon Sharpe could have taken Eason’s spot imo. Nembhard is probably more deserving. Sharpe finished the season very well, despite Portland playing terribly.
I agree
Kessler first team all-rookie… another reminder of how bad that Goebert trade was for Minnesota.
And it will most likely get worse as those picks convey. Rudy’s a solid player, but damn, that’s a lot of picks for a great interior defender who isn’t counted on to do much on offense.
Congrats to everyone who was a member of either team. Good rookie class!
Jaden, Jalen, Jabari, Jeremy, and Jalen made the list. I sense a pattern. Or were all their parents fans of Dr. J?
Too old .. more like … M … J
Actually, Jalen is the most popular name in the NBA/NFL. Probably a lot of Fab 5 fans!
Shameful. Not one of these undeserving punks has won an nba championship and therefore do north deserve any recognition whatsoever…
I’m guessing you hate your life. Probably can’t eat, can’t sleep and can’t bury the wife in the backyard.
Guess again.
That’s why they’re called “rookies”. It’s like graduating from school at the top of your class. Are you going to tell us that graduation ceremonies and awards are “shameful” as well because they haven’t done anything in the real world yet?
In other words, your anger towards these new players is likely a projection of your own feelings, not reality. No worries. There’s still plenty of time to do some good in the world.
Ever tried doing your family’s genealogy? It’s a lot of fun seeing who you’re related to and where your family has been throughout history. =)
Very sure they’re being sarcastic, which is not great considering sarcasm doesn’t convey over the internet.
I guess you haven’t encountered enough angry grandpas or I’ve been encountering too many lately. Haha =)
I have no anger towards any of them. I was mocking the guy who blasted the NBA for 2 or 3 other award winners for not winning a title (specifically being a member of the warriors) despite being regular season awards.
And no, sarcasm does not convey well on the interweb.
Not everyone reads every comment section on here. Plus, you weren’t directly responding to someone in here so it was less apparent.
No worries, though. Sarcasm away. Lol.
Though, like you said, just don’t expect it to translate as there’s a lot of literal people in the world. I live with one. Guess my sarcasm meter needs new batteries. =)
I wanted to tank for Mathurin or trade up for him. And I wanted Duren . We could have just took him ………. Ok …. Do I know or what ?
Jalen Williams was an unanimous choice, too. Some dork clicked on Jaylin Williams (also OKC) by accident.
It’s interesting how the two runner-ups for rookie of the year weren’t unanimous. Some voters need to turn in their homer badges. They clearly are just as biased as fans. ;-)