NBA 2019-20: Rookie of the Year Power Rankings Week 11

With more than two months of the 2019-20 season now in the books, we have had plenty of time to assess the NBA's latest crop of young talent. While Zion Williamson has yet to make his debut due to the knee injury that he suffered in the weeks leading up to the season, plenty of rookies around the league have managed to make an impression instead.

This year's race to be named Rookie of the Year is wide open as we head into 2020. On that note, we take a look at the latest Rookie of the Year Power Rankings.

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#5 Brandon Clarke - Memphis Grizzlies

Brandon Clarke's impact with the Memphis Grizzlies continues to increase

Brandon Clarke's performances for the Memphis Grizzlies were up and down throughout October and November, but the Vancouver native has been excellent in the month of December. Selected 21st overall in this year's draft, Clarke's all-around game has been surprisingly good; the 23-year-old is currently averaging 13.0 points, 5.5 rebounds and 1.4 assists per contest.

In his most recent outing during Memphis' win over the Charlotte Hornets, Clarke finished with 18 points from 12 field goal attempts, while also contributing three assists, three blocks and one steal in 25 minutes. Clarke also reached double figures while shooting high percentages against the Oklahoma City Thunder and Denver Nuggets, and the power forward is now shooting a hugely impressive 64.7 percent from the floor.

Clarke's accuracy from 3-point range also sits at 45.7 percent, and based on his first few months in the NBA, he appears to be one of the biggest steals from the 2019 draft.

#4 PJ Washington - Charlotte Hornets

PJ Washington has been sharp since returning from injury

PJ Washington has made a bright start to life in the NBA. Although he recently missed five games with a fractured finger, the rookie has once again looked sharp upon his return.

In his first game back, Washington finished with 14 points on 7-of-15 shooting against the Oklahoma City Thunder, and he added 16 points two days later during Charlotte's defeat in Memphis. In his 28 minutes on the court against the Memphis Grizzlies, Washington finished with 16 points and four rebounds - and the power forward also connected with 4 of his 6 three-pointers.

Washington has now appeared 30 times, averaging 12.4 points, 5.2 rebounds and 1.7 assists per game. Following his return to fitness, the University of Kentucky product will continue to rise in the Rookie of the Year standings as we head into 2020.

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#3 Tyler Herro - Miami Heat

Tyler Herro has made a huge impact from the Miami bench

Tyler Herro looks unlikely to break into Miami's starting lineup this season, but the 19-year-old is making enough of an impact from the bench to remain in contention to be named Rookie of the Year.

Herro has made 32 appearances so far in his rookie season, averaging 13.7 points, 4.2 rebounds and 2.1 assists per game. He is also shooting 38.6 percent from beyond the arc, and his defensive work has continued to improve.

Herro's best performance over the last week came against Philadelphia as he finished with 16 points while connecting with 4 of his 8 attempts from three-point range. The Heat have now reportedly made the youngster untouchable in trade talks due to his immense impact.

#2 Kendrick Nunn - Miami Heat

The undrafted Kendrick Nunn has played a vital role for the high-flying Heat

After going undrafted back in 2018, Kendrick Nunn was forced to spend the season with the Santa Cruz Warriors of the G-League. But Nunn seized an opportunity to practise with the Miami Heat over the summer, and the 24-year-old has quickly become a vital player for one of the NBA's most impressive teams.

Nunn has started all 33 of the Heat's games so far this season, averaging 16.0 points, 2.8 rebounds and 3.5 assists per contest. Last week he became the fastest undrafted rookie in more than 40 years to reach 500 points in a season, and he once again contributed double-figures against the Indiana Pacers, Philadelphia 76ers, and Washington Wizards.

With the Heat looking increasingly likely to stick with the current roster for the remainder of the season, Nunn remains well in contention to be named ROTY.

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#1 Ja Morant - Memphis Grizzlies

Ja Morant remains the front-runner despite suffering a dip in the form during the final weeks of 2020

Ja Morant has been the front-runner to be named Rookie of the Year for almost the entire season. But while his performances remain solid, the rest of the pack has closed the gap over the past few weeks.

The Grizzlies picked up wins over the Thunder and Hornets over the past week, although Morant contributed just 14 points while shooting 7 for 17 from the field.

Morant's best game came during the defeat to the Nuggets as he finished with 16 points, 8 assists and 3 rebounds. For the season, the 20-year-old still leads all rookies in points (17.4) and assists (6.5) per game.

There is undoubtedly still more to come from the dynamic point guard, and he will need to continue to improve in order to cement his status as the front-runner for the 2020 Rookie of the Year award.