OKC Thunder rookies continue to shine: Week 11 national power rankings

As the New Year began the OKC Thunder got out to a slow start with many players entering health and safety protocols.

It resulted in a shift on many of the rookie power ranking leader boards because many of the typical top-five including Josh Giddey weren’t available to participate.

OKC Thunder rookies continue to shine: Week 11 national power rankings

It’s also opened up more playing time for G-League players and rookies in particular. That’s equated to the rookie class once again demonstrating why they rival some of the best draft classes in NBA history.

And while Giddey spent time in health and safety protocols once again some of the other talented Thunder rookies made their mark on the weekly national lists.

Let’s take a look at the top sites and where Josh Giddey and Aaron Wiggins ranked on those lists in week 11.

NBA – Steve Aschburner – OKC Thunder stay in the mix

Josh Giddey dropped off several national lists in week 10 although the draft savant Steve Aschburner of NBA.com kept him in the mix based on his quirky double-double. In week 11, it’s Giddey’s historic triple-double that Aschburner recognizes as he holds the Australian steady in fifth. His excerpt is below and you can view the full list of his week 11 top performers via this link.

"The No. 6 pick played only one game last week but it was a doozy. When he put up 17 points, 13 rebounds and 14 assists in a loss to Dallas Sunday, he became the youngest player in NBA history to post a triple-double (19 years, 84 days). That stole Ball’s, er, thunder – the Hornets guard set the record at age 19-140 last January. “It’s cool, the individual stats, but a win is always better than individual stats for me,” the 6-foot-8 Australian said. “I’ve said if I’m zero-zero-zero and we win I’m happier than if we have a triple-double and we lose.”"

CBS – Jasmyn Wimbish:

With Josh Giddey and Scottie Barnes in health and safety protocols (as well as many rookies) CBS writer Jasmyn Wimbish’s weekly list featured some new entries in the top five.

And while Giddey missed the cut another OKC Thunder rookie made her top five – Aaron Wiggins lands on Wimbish’s list for the second consecutive week. In week 10 he claimed the fourth rung and this week he lands on the fifth rung. Click here to view Wimbish’s week 11 rookie ladder.

"There’s a surplus of young depth on Oklahoma City’s team, and at any given time it feels like each one of them are taking their turn in the spotlight. Right now that honor goes to Wiggins, who due to injuries and COVID has been elevated to the starting lineup, where he’s been making opposing teams pay with his 3-point shooting. When he’s running with the second unit he gets more opportunity to show his playmaking skills with the ball in his hands, which is a luxury for the Thunder to have yet another guy who can create and generate points in one way or another."

Hoops Habit – Corey Rausch:

With Josh Giddey in health and safety protocols during week 11 as well as several of the other rookie teammates, no OKC Thunder players made Corey Rausch’s week 11 list.

To view the five players who did make Rausch’s cut click here.

Week 11 closing thought:

Week 11 witnessed Giddey return to some national lists and Aaron Wiggins making an impression. Considering Giddey, Wiggins, Tre Mann, and Jeremiah Robinson-Earl have all made lists it speaks to what a great job the scouting group and draft team of the Thunder are doing.

Especially since there are several other counterparts who haven’t placed one rookie let alone two on lists including many rookies drafted higher and getting playing time.