NBA rookie check-in: Victor Wembanyama in league of his own — who follows?

2. Chet Holmgren | Oklahoma City Thunder

Holmgren would run away with Rookie of the Year in most NBA seasons. He averages 16.8 points, 7.9 rebounds, 2.5 blocks and is shooting 39.2% from three-point range on perhaps the best team in the Western Conference. 

Of all rookies on this list, Holmgren will have the biggest impact on the NBA playoffs. If he can slow the big men of the West, OKC's postseason run could be a marathon. He's everything the Thunder dreamed of and more.

3. Brandon Miller | Charlotte Hornets

If you haven't seen much of Miller recently, that's understandable — the Hornets (17-52) are brutal to watch. But Miller (16.7 PPG, 4.2 RPG) is single-handedly giving Hornets fans reason for optimism while LaMelo Ball has missed most of the season with an ankle injury.

Miller's efficiency has dipped recently without a starting-caliber point guard by his side. However, he has scored 20-plus points 20 times this season, including three straight 25-plus-point outings in early February. The histrionics from NBA fans when Charlotte selected Miller second overall in this year's draft now seem unnecessary.

4. Jaime Jaquez Jr. | Miami Heat

Jaquez Jr. (12.5 PPG, 4.1 RPG) has played a tad inconsistently, but that's to be expected from rookies, especially rookies on solid teams. Still, the 23-year-old plays a mature style and seldom looks rattled on the floor among established veterans such as Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo. He fits perfectly in the Heat system and will thrive in South Beach for years. 

5. Keyonte George | Utah Jazz

Utah (29-39) has cooled after a surprising first half, but George (12.9 PPG, 4.5 APG) is heating up. Over the past few weeks, the 6-foot-4 guard from Baylor has been showing off the "microwave" scoring ability that made him such an intriguing prospect, scoring at least 25 points four times in March. 

Plus, George's efficiency has steadily risen throughout the season, too. He's shooting 35.8% from three-point range.

Honorable mentions

6. Brandin Podziemski, Golden State Warriors

7. Dereck Lively II, Dallas Mavericks

8. Ausar Thompson, Detroit Pistons

9. Amen Thompson, Houston Rockets

10. Cason Wallace, Oklahoma City Thunder