Former Indiana basketball forward Trayce Jackson-Davis listed top-10 in NBA Rookie Power Rankings

While Indiana basketball continues to learn what life is going to be like without all-time Hoosier great Trayce Jackson-Davis, the former IU forward is continuing his upward trend in the NBA rookie ranks.

Since being drafted by the Warriors in this past year’s NBA draft in the second round at No. 57, Jackson-Davis has been such a positive addition to this historic franchise and has found ways to carve himself into a prominent role within the Golden State rotation. The former college All-American has also set some career-highs as well as records that hadn’t been set in over two decades. Jackson-Davis turned in performances that no NBA player had done since … 2001.

Through 30 games this season, Jackson-Davis has averaged 7.0 points and 4.4 rebounds per contest while shooting 68.8 percent from the field. Those 30 games played also include three starts, as well.

His performances since the start of his rookie season has taken the NBA world by storm which is a big reason as to why he considered to be one of the better rookies in the league this season. In the latest NBA Rookie Power Rankings by ESPN, Jackson Davis was listed in the top-10 by two different NBA analysts. While the Warriors may be having an inconsistent year, Jackson-Davis is one of the few bright spots.

“The other rookie helping keep the Warriors afloat, Jackson-Davis has supplied valuable above-the-rim finishing and rim protection to a Golden State frontcourt lacking in those traits,” ESPN NBA Analyst Kevin Pelton said when listing Jackson-Davis at No. 7 in the NBA Rookie Power Rankings. “Per Basketball-Reference.com, Jackson-Davis’ 43 dunks in just 433 minutes are more than double any Warriors teammate save Jonathan Kuminga. And Jackson-Davis leads the team in that limited action with 2 5 blocks, earning him a handful of recent starting assignments.”

The month of December was the breakout month for Jackson-Davis which saw him get established into a spot in the Warriors rotation with NBA all-Star Draymond Green suspended from the team. The former Indiana basketball forward had two-straight double-doubles while shooting 70 percent and also having 12+ rebounds which was the first time a player had a double-double, 12+ rebounds and shot better than 70 percent from the floor off the bench in back-to-back games since his father, Dale Davis, from April 12-13, 2001 when he played on the Portland Trailblazers.

By the way things are trending, the Warriors may have gotten the steal of the 2023 NBA Draft with Jackson-Davis.

“(Trayce) Playing like a seasoned vet, and he’s a rookie, which is great for the Dubs,” Warriors guard Klay Thompson said last month. “He’s looking like the steal of the draft.”

“Golden State paid $2 million to Washington the night of the draft for the rights to Jackson-Davis,” ESPN NBA Analyst Bobby Marks added when listing Jackson-Davis at No. 8 in the NBA Rookie Power Rankings. “He only played two summer league games but averaged 16 points, 8.5 rebounds and shot 66.7% from the field. He was inactive or did not play in 10 games before Steve Kerr inserted him into the rotation on Dec. 17. He ranks behind only Wembanyama in rebounds per game among rookies since mid-December.”

The Warriors are back in action tonight when they travel to face the Utah Jazz. Golden State is currently just 18-22 on the season.

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