The Grizzlies' rookies continue to maintain their stay in the NBA.com Kia Rookie Ladder as the top three rookies for the last two weeks remained the same with Jared McCain at number one, Stephon Castle at number two, and Jaylen Wells at number three. Zach Edey remains out with a sprained ankle injury but keeps his place in the top 10 as he fell to number 10 this week.
The 7'4" rookie center from Purdue has missed the Grizzlies' last 11 games and will probably miss more as his status from coach Taylor Jenkins last week was updated as "a couple of weeks away." Meanwhile, Jaylen Wells continues to be a starter for the Grizzlies although he had a rough week on the offensive side of the basketball court last week, averaging seven points on 35.7% shooting from the field.
The Western Conference Rookie of the Month for October and November is likely behind San Antonio Spurs' guard Stephon Castle in the race for the same honors this month as Castle is making a case to jump Jared McCain for number one on the list. Castle has become a full-time starter for the Spurs and has scored in double figures in 15 of their last 16 games. He is also making a positive impact in his on-court minutes with a +4.2 per 10 possessions.
Jaylen Wells is also fighting off another Western Conference rookie who entered the top five this week at the number four spot in New Orleans Pelicans center Yves Missi. Missi leads all rookies in total rebounds (196) and rebounds per game (8.2), and averaged a double-double over the last week with an 11.7 points and 11 rebounds average.
The Western Conference rookies are starting to make it tough for Jaylen Wells to remain at the top but he will continue to be the starter at small forward for the Grizzlies, meaning he will have ample opportunity to win the best rookie in the conference battle. His defense remains his calling card as he continues to take on their opponent's toughest assignments.
Playing on a winning team will help Wells' standing as well because his struggles will be mitigated by a successful Grizzlies run to the top of the standings. As long as Wells' recent offensive struggles don't linger for multiple weeks, he should be able to remain in place as a top-three rookie in the Kia Rookie Ladder.
The Memphis Grizzlies remain tied with the Washington Wizards with two rookies in the top 10 of the Rookie Ladder, and that standing doesn't look to change anytime soon as long as Zach Edey returns within his timeline and produces, and Jaylen Wells doesn't hit a significant rookie wall.