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NBA.com Rookie Ladder

The Rookie Ladder is a free-flowing, constantly updated chart that ranks the 2013-14 rookies. If a rookie plays well, he climbs the Ladder. Play poorly, and he'll slide down a rung ... or two or three. The rankings are updated by NBA.com's Drew Packham. If you have an issue or have a question or comment, send Drew an e-mail. You can also follow him on Twitter.
Past Seasons: 2012-13 | 2011-12 | 2010-11

2013 NBA Draft

BENNETT GOES NO. 1

Learn all about the 2013-14 crop of rookies by reliving the 2013 NBA Draft, complete with video highlights, player prospect pages, statistics and much more, at NBA.com/draft.

2013 NBA Draft

Leaving Las Vegas

LAS VEGAS, July 22 -- Before Las Vegas started, I wrote that it would take something special for someone to pass up Kelly Olynyk for the top rung.

Well, Las Vegas came and went, and the Celtics' top rookie remains in the top spot. While more eyes may have been on the games in Las Vegas (due to later start times and actual crowds at the games in Orlando), what the rookie out of Gonzaga did in his five games stands out.

Olynyk averaged 18.0 ppg (most in Orlando) and 7.8 rpg, while hitting 58 percent of his shots. From Day 1, in which he broke out for 25 points, the 7-footer showed an ability to score in a variety of ways. When opponents put a bigger, slower defender on him, he stepped out and hit the midrange jumper. When the defender decided to step out to stop the shot, Olynyk used a quick first step and variety of moves -- up-and-under, baby hooks across the lane -- to get his buckets.

It was an impressive performance and the Celtics have to be pleased with the crop of young talent they now have in their frontcourt. It was at the same tournament last year that Jared Sullinger opened eyes by averaging 13.8 ppg and 8.3 rpg and went on to have a respectable rookie season (6.0 points and 5.9 rebounds in 19.8 minutes per game) that was eventually cut short by injury.

Olynyk may not carry his play into a run at Rookie of the Year, but for now, he sits as the top dog of the Summer.

Honorable Mentions

Cody Zeller, Bobcats: Zeller looked like one of the most polished and NBA-ready players in Las Vegas. In four games, Zeller dominated inside, banging hard every game and controlling the boards to the tune of 9.3 rpg (first among rookies) to go along with 16.3 ppg. He showed nice touch from the outside and should be able to chip in from Day 1 in the frontcourt either backing up or playing alongside new acquisition Al Jefferson.

Victor Oladipo, Magic: The No. 2 pick looked like the real deal while transitioning to the point guard position. Oladipo, who primarily played off the ball at Indiana, averaged 19.0 ppg, 4.3 rpg and 5.0 apg (albeit against 4.8 TOs) in four games. He also knocked down a memorable game-winner and should be considered a front-runner for ROY, especially considering he'll see a lot of playing time right away.

C.J. McCollum, Trail Blazers: McCollum proved in Las Vegas that he can score, leading all rookies at 21.0 ppg. He also averaged 4.0 rpg and 3.4 apg in his four games and looked good running things for the Blazers. He'll probably play more off the ball in the season, possibly pairing with Damian Lillard at times, making for one of the younger, more exciting backcourts in the League. When I asked him about playing off the ball or running the point, McCollum said, "I'm a chameleon." It might be hard for "The Chameleon" to see much playing time so a Rookie of the Year run might be a longshot, but he could be a nice option for the Blazers off the bench.

-- Drew Packham

Just missed the cut: Mason Plumlee, Archie Goodwin, Dwighty Buycks, Dennis Schroder

As always, feel free to email me with any comments, questions or suggestions. I'm also on Twitter, if that's your thing.

1
Kelly Olynyk : BOSTON CELTICS

Olynyk wrapped up an impressive run in Orlando with 12 points and seven boards in just 15 minutes of work. All told, he finished as the rookie leader in scoring (19.5 ppg) and rebounding (7.8 rpg) on 57.8 percent shooting. Now, we'll just have to see if anyone in Vegas can overtake him for the top rung. -- July 12

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2
Cody Zeller : CHARLOTTE BOBCATS

After a day off, Zeller returned with 18 points and nine rebounds on 9-for-18 shooting in a win over the Grizzlies. Zeller plays in control and shows a nice feel for the game, spotting up from the top of the key or playing with his back to the basket in the paint. Through four games, the No. 4 pick finishes at 16.3 ppg and 9.3 rpg on 52 percent shooting. With his run over in Vegas, I feel I short changed him a bit as he was playing, but I'm giving him a bump to the No. 2 rung now that things have wound down and I'm able to truly appreciate how good Zeller was in Sin City. -- July 22

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3
C.J. McCollum : PORTLAND TRAIL BLAZERS

The Blazers rested McCollum in their final game Friday, meaning their rookie sticks at No. 2. For the week, McCollum finished with averages of 21.0 points (most among rookies in Las Vegas), 4.0 rebounds and 3.4 assists. The only negative were his shooting numbers. The No. 10 pick shot 36 percent from the field (31 percent on 3s) but still looked good running the show for the Blazers and will add a nice scoring punch in the backcourt. -- July 19

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4
Victor Oladipo : ORLANDO MAGIC

Oladipo got the day off in Orlando's finale on Friday, but he did enough in four games to give Magic fans plenty of hope. The No. 2 pick averaged 19.0 ppg, 4.3 rpg and 5.0 apg while going 7-for-13 from beyond the arc. Oladipo did struggle with turnovers (4.8 per game) as he works to make the transition to the point, but the Magic have to be pleased with the early returns from their top pick, capped off by a game-winning jumper in his last game. -- July 12

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5
Jack Cooley : MEMPHIS GRIZZLIES

Cooley capped off his impressive run here with 13 points and seven rebounds. I loved what I saw out of Cooley this week, especially as he went toe-to-toe with No. 4 overall pick Cody Zeller and more than held his own. The undrafted rookie out of Notre Dame finishes with averages of 15.4 points and 9.6 rebounds, and I would be surprised if he doesn't find his way onto a roster in the fall. -- July 19

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6
Reggie Bullock : LOS ANGELES CLIPPERS

The Clippers rookie climbs a rung after putting up 22 points in his Summer League finale. The No. 25 overall pick did get his shots up, though, finishing 8-for-20 from the field (3-for-11 on 3s), finishing his run here at 42 percent. Bullock's shooting ability is clear, though, and the Clippers can be patient with their rookie, who could be a nice addition for L.A.'s second unit. -- July 19

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7
Michael Carter-Williams : PHILADELPHIA 76ERS

First, the bad news on MCW's run in Orlando: The Sixers guard missed a lot of shots. The Syracuse product was 23-for-85 (27 percent) from the floor, and hit just three of 19 3-pointers. He also turned the ball over too much (4.8 per game). The coaches weren't sweating the TOs, though, since he led all players in Orlando in assists (7.2). -- July 12

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8
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope : DETROIT PISTONS

The Pistons' lottery pick started slow, but finished his Orlando run strong. In his last three games, KCP averaged 18.0 ppg on 47 percent shooting and looked more comfortable with each game. With a solid frontcourt in place (Andre Drummond was a beast all week), the Pistons' rookie should see plenty of opportunities from outside this season. -- July 12

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9
Ben McLemore : SACRAMENTO KINGS

Despite three games in which he had poor shooting performances, when McLemore was on, he looked like a potential star. On Tuesday, his 26-point performance on 8-for-14 shooting was impressive and his finale, in which he scored 27, including a monster drive and dunk down the lane, showed he has an inside game to go with his sweet stroke. -- July 19

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10
Ray McCallum : SACRAMENTO KINGS

The Kings' point guard had a really nice game in his finale, flirting with a triple double with 12 points, 11 assists and six rebounds. Even more impressive was that he turned the ball over just twice in the Kings' 93-87 win. McCallum had been sliding down the Ladder, but the No. 36 pick finished strong and I leave Las Vegas impressed by McCallum's feel for the game and he could be a nice option off the bench. -- July 19

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Rookie Poll

Which rookie impressed you the most this summer?

  • Kelly Olynyk, Celtics
  • Cody Zeller, Bobcats
  • C.J. McCollum, Blazers
  • Victor Oladipo, Magic

Rookie Photo Shoot

Gallery: Draft portraits