NBA announces All-Rookie Teams

Rookie of the Year winner Paolo Banchero was a unanimous choice for the 2022-23 All-Rookie First Team, the NBA announced Monday (via Twitter). Here’s the full five-man squad, listed in order of their total points received via voters:

• Magic forward Banchero (200)
• Thunder guard/forward Jalen Williams (199)
• Jazz center Walker Kessler (195)
• Kings forward Keegan Murray (185)
• Pacers guard Bennedict Mathurin (170)

The All-Rookie Second Team was announced as well, with a couple of teammates headlining the group (Twitter link).

• Pistons guard Jaden Ivey (142)
• Pistons center Jalen Duren (85)
• Rockets forward Jabari Smith (72)
• Spurs forward Jeremy Sochan (66)
• Rockets forward Tari Eason (47)

In my opinion, the most surprising omission from the All-Rookie Second Team was Pacers guard Andrew Nembhard, who received 46 points. Nembhard was actually on one more ballot than Eason, but Eason received two first-team votes versus Nembhard’s zero, giving him a narrow edge.

That’s not to say Eason (or anyone else) was undeserving — he had a strong season as a tenacious offensive rebounder and defender. I just thought Nembhard should have been honored because he started the majority of the season for a competitive Indiana team and was frequently tasked with guarding the opposing team's best player, as Scott Agness of Fieldhouse Files notes (via Twitter).

According to the NBA (Twitter link), others receiving votes included Trail Blazers guard Shaedon Sharpe (36), Hawks wing AJ Griffin (26), Nuggets forward Christian Braun, Thunder center Jaylin Williams (seven; he almost certainly received a first-place vote instead of his teammate by mistake), Mavericks guard Jaden Hardy (four), Spurs guard Malaki Branham (three), Pelicans guard Dyson Daniels (two), Hornets center Mark Williams (two) and Bucks wing MarJon Beauchamp (one).

In case you missed it, more NBA awards will be coming later this week. The All-Defensive Teams will be announced on Tuesday, followed by All-NBA on Wednesday and the Teammate of the Year Award on Thursday.