Here we are. The first Rookie Rankings of the season. Actually, it's the preseason. These are straight evaluations of preseason performance, and in no way projections for the Rookie of the Year award. One thing to take into account is that, due to the lack of games on TV, it's tough to have a good feel for what these guys can do on the defensive end. Once the Report can get the full effect of League Pass, you will see a better evaluation of the rookies' all-around games.

Playing time will be the key. Some guys that played 20 minutes per game in October may spend the majority of the next six months on the inactive list. Some will be taking bus rides between Albuquerque and Fort Worth.

In the long run, nothing that these guys have done so far means anything (save for a little confidence building). Preseason stats are pretty much erased from your permanent record. The real thing starts tomorrow night.

Rookie Line Of The Month Rajon Rondo (BOS) 10.11 @ TOR 29 points, 4 rebounds, 5 assists, 3 steals, 8-13 FG, 11-12 FT

So, the Rookie Report wipes the slate clean next week as well. The rankings below will not affect regular season rankings one bit. But for now, they represent the best rookies of the 2006 preseason.

If you haven't already, check out last week's Rookie Notebook for more on our top two and e-mail the Rookie Report if you've got a question or a comment on anything rookie related. RR will answer your mail every Thursday, whether you like it or not. And every Monday through April 23, the Report will be right here ranking the rookies.

1. Marcus Williams, G, New Jersey MPG PPG RPG APG SPG BPG FG% 3P% FT% 28.2 16.0 2.7 7.0 1.00 0.17 .438 .429 .833 Summer League: 4 The Nets have been seeking a backup point guard who can maintain the pace when Jason Kidd takes a seat. Williams fell into their laps at No. 22 at he's exactly what they've been looking for.

2. Rajon Rondo, G, Boston MPG PPG RPG APG SPG BPG FG% 3P% FT% 29.3 11.1 3.5 4.9 2.25 0.13 .477 .375 .727 Summer League: Unranked Rondo put up strong numbers across the board, most impressive might be his 4.33 assist/turnover ratio, leading all rookies and tied for third across the league.

3. Brandon Roy, G, Portland MPG PPG RPG APG SPG BPG FG% 3P% FT% 34.8 14.8 3.4 3.6 0.50 0.50 .458 .200 .804 Summer League: 2 Roy started seven of the Blazers' eight games in the preseason and led all rookies in minutes, solidifying his status as the favorite to win Rookie of the Year honors.

4. Steve Novak, F, Houston MPG PPG RPG APG SPG BPG FG% 3P% FT% 24.6 12.1 4.3 0.7 0.43 0.00 .529 .476 .917 Summer League: Unranked This guy can shoot and could be a perfect complementary player for Yao Ming and Tracy McGrady, as long as his defensive deficiences aren't bad enough that Jeff Van Gundy is willing to give him the burn.

5. Rudy Gay, F, Memphis MPG PPG RPG APG SPG BPG FG% 3P% FT% 27.3 13.9 3.9 0.9 1.29 1.43 .395 .364 .833 Summer League: Unranked With Pau Gasol out, Gay will be asked to provide the Grizzlies with some scoring punch. Other than Roy, he's the only rookie to start more than half (five of eight) of his team's games in the preseason.

6. Paul Millsap, F, Utah MPG PPG RPG APG SPG BPG FG% 3P% FT% 17.5 7.9 7.4 0.4 0.75 0.50 .480 .000 .652 Summer League: Unranked Millsap not only led the rookies in rebounds for the preseason. He was sixth best board man among all qualified players and second in rebounds per 48 minutes.

7. Tyrus Thomas, F, Chicago MPG PPG RPG APG SPG BPG FG% 3P% FT% 19.5 9.4 4.4 0.9 1.50 1.25 .491 .000 .724 Summer League: 5 Thomas had some impressive moments in the preseason, but Scott Skiles is not sure the rookie is ready for the NBA, expressing concern about the pace that Thomas plays, which is interestingly "too slow."

8. Shelden Williams, F, Atlanta MPG PPG RPG APG SPG BPG FG% 3P% FT% 22.6 8.5 6.4 0.8 0.38 0.88 .453 .000 .800 Summer League: Unranked After Marvin Williams broke his hand, Shelden Williams started the final game of the preseaon for the Hawks. He looks to be a force on the boards, picking up one of four rookie double-doubles this preseason.

9. Adam Morrison, F, Charlotte MPG PPG RPG APG SPG BPG FG% 3P% FT% 26.8 11.6 1.9 1.6 0.00 0.00 .360 .385 .696 Summer League: 3 Morrison struggled with his shot a bit, but he did have a couple of strong games. He'll probably start the season coming off the bench, but he will be asked to carry a heavier load than most rookies.

10. Alexander Johnson, F, Memphis MPG PPG RPG APG SPG BPG FG% 3P% FT% 20.3 8.4 5.0 0.6 1.50 0.50 .465 .000 .692 Summer League: Unranked Johnson will get opportunities to play with Pau Gasol out. He has shown that he can be an active body down low, something the Grizzlies will need to stay afloat until their All-Star returns.

Noteworthy Bargnani On the outside looking in: Maurice Ager (DAL), Andrea Bargnani (TOR), Jorge Garbajosa (TOR) The Mavs are deep, but Maurice Ager (DAL) may have earned a spot in the rotation as the team's third leading scorer in the preseason. Andrea Bargnani (TOR) will begin his career coming off the bench, but he should see plenty of burn with the Raps looking to go small and push the ball. The Who's He? award of the preseason goes to Yakhouba Diawara (DEN), who played in Europe last year and challenged for the starting job at the two for the Nuggets. Jorge Garbajosa (TOR) finished second among rookies in the preseason with 14 threes made. Leon Powe (BOS) averaged 13.5 points and 12.0 boards in back-to-back games against the Nets and Knicks, but was relatively invisible for the rest of the month. The NBA career of J.J. Redick (ORL) might get off to a bit of a slow start. He only played 15 total minutes in two games during the preseason due to back and foot problems and could start the season on the inactive list.

Got beef with the rankings or have a comment or question for the Rookie Report? Send the Report an e-mail and RR may respond to it on Thursday.