TI’s week 5 rookie ladder: Josh Giddey on the rise
No 5 – Franz Wagner – Orlando Magic
Although the Magic rookie took a bit of a step back offensively he remains on the Intentions ladder over his peers due to the overall quality of his game. Franz Wagner impacts both sides of the floor and is highly skilled. He might not be bringing in any first or second rookie category placements but he performs well in everything placing in the top 10 of all the key categories.
Rookie category rankings:
- Blocks: 0.6 – three-way tie for third
- Steals: 1.0 – four-way tie for fourth
- 3-pointers made: 1.5 – fourth
- 3-point percentage: 36.3%
- Minutes per game: 31.0 – fourth
- Field Goals Made: 4.9 – sixth
- Points: 12.8 – sixth
- Offensive rebounds: 1.3 – sixth
- Rebounds: 4.1 – eighth
- Assists: 2.2 – ninth
- Field Goal Percent: 44.5%
Orlando had a four-game week facing the Hawks, Knicks, Nets, and Bucks and like many of the teams with top-rated rookies collected a single victory in week five (Knicks).
Wagner feasted in the first three matches scoring 19, 16, and 17 points before hitting a buzz saw versus the Bucks and registering only three points. It equated to 13.7 points for the week. The front three games helped bolster a blistering 46.2 percent perimeter efficiency for the week. Overall he connected on six of his 13 perimeter attempts.
In addition, he averaged 4.0 rebounds (1.3 on the offensive glass), 2.8 assists, and 0.5 blocks.
Wagner like many on this list has a well-developed skill set that might find him drilling a critical 3-pointer, charging in from the sidelines for a jaw-dropping dunk, or dishing a nifty pass to an open teammate.
I’m anxious to watch the growth of the 20-year old Wagner and predict he’ll be one of the best 3 and D players in the league in short order.