![Dallas Mavs rookie Luka Doncic is setting the bar high early on in the NBA ROY race. [Image via NBA/YouTube screencap]](https://staticr1.blastingcdn.com/media/photogallery/2018/12/11/660x290/b_502x220x82/dallas-mavs-rookie-luka-doncic-is-setting-the-bar-high-early-on-in-the-nba-roy-race-image-via-nbayoutube-screencap_2161991.jpg "Dallas Mavs rookie Luka Doncic is setting the bar high early on in the NBA ROY race. [Image via NBA/YouTube screencap]")
The 2018-19 NBA season isn't halfway over yet, but several young players are emerging as early Rookie of the Year candidates. Only a few of them happen to be on teams that look like they have playoff potential. With that said, here are the five rookies playing the best at this moment in the season.
Luka Doncic - Dallas Mavericks
Doncic came into the league as a highly-touted foreign phenomenon and hasn't disappointed so far. The 6-foot-7 forward is averaging 18.2 points, 6.5 rebounds, and 4.1 assists per game. Not only that, he's helped the Mavs remain among the top eight teams in the West.
Luka Doncic has converted 14 baskets in clutch time (score within five points, fewer than five minutes remaining), tied for the 10th-most among all players, and the most among rookies.
— Frank Urbina (@FrankUrbina_) December 10, 2018
Here's all of them. pic.twitter.com/zPt9fjihSB
Deandre Ayton - Phoenix Suns
Deandre Ayton brought the responsibility with him of being the league's No. 1 pick and not wanting to be another big man bust at the spot. So far, he hasn't been too shabby, despite the Suns' poor record. Ayton leads the team with 10.1 rebounds a game and also averages 15.8 points and 2.5 assists per contest.
"I’m going to be in this franchise a pretty long while. I’m going to take advantage of it 110 percent. I’m going be around for a while, be in everybody’s ear and try to get something going. We need to figure something out.” #Suns rookie Deandre Ayton https://t.co/pKeFAU4moB pic.twitter.com/ukpgynynUR
— Duane Rankin (@DuaneRankin) December 7, 2018
Jaren Jackson Jr. - Memphis Grizzlies
The son of former NBA star Jaren Jackson has been climbing up the rookie rankings. He had an impressive 36-point game against the Brooklyn Nets recently. Jackson Jr. averages 13.3 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 1.2 assists per game. He also leads the Grizzlies in blocks with 1.9 per contest.
DON'T SLEEP ON JAREN JACKSON JR 😳 pic.twitter.com/rC11wGx8x7
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) December 11, 2018
Collin Sexton - Cleveland Cavaliers
After losing LeBron James, the hopes of the Cavs' success seemed to rest upon their veterans like Kevin Love and J.R. Smith. Both players are out of action, but the rookie is stepping up as he can. Sexton is putting up 15.7 points, grabbing 3.1 rebounds, and averaging 2.7 assists in an average of nearly 30 minutes of game time each night.
Young Bull's pulling out the behind-the-back dimes 👀#CavsBucks is just getting started on FSO & the FOX Sports app: https://t.co/LFkKcL4kzO#BeTheFight pic.twitter.com/TmooQlULGb
— FOX Sports Ohio (@FOXSportsOH) December 11, 2018
Wendell Carter Jr. - Chicago Bulls
The Bulls had a rough outing against the Boston Celtics in which Carter Jr. played just as bad as most of the team. However, he's averaging 10.9 points, 10 rebounds, two assists, and 1.6 blocks per game for a Bulls team near the bottom of the standings.
"To the people who doubt me, I don't really say much. I let my game do the talking."
— NBA TV (@NBATV) December 10, 2018
Wendell Carter Jr. is ready for the spotlight. 💪 Presented by @kia pic.twitter.com/RcFru3qBXE
