Meleek Thomas Enters NBA Rookie Ladder at No. 10

On November 4, Cleveland Cavaliers rookie Meleek Thomas earned his first place on NBA.com’s weekly Rookie Ladder, entering the top 10 at No. 10. The second-round pick from Arkansas had appeared in four games, averaging 14 points and shooting 47.6% from three-point range, with a 17.4 Player Efficiency Rating.

Thomas started an NBA game for the first time on November 2 against the Oklahoma City Thunder, stepping in for the injured Peyton Watson. He scored 17 points, matching Donovan Mitchell for the team high, while making seven of 16 shots and three of nine three-pointers. Thomas also recorded five rebounds, an assist and a steal.

The ladder’s assessment pointed to his early outside shooting, including six three-pointers across Cleveland’s two games before Election Day. He has also earned the confidence of veteran teammates, and has told Mitchell when he is open for a pass. The ranking’s other rookies include Cameron Boozer, Yaxel Lendenborg and Thomas’s former Arkansas teammate Darius Acuff Jr.

Thomas was the final player included, ahead of Bucks rookies Braden Burries and Nate Ament. Second-round selections have made the All-Rookie team in each of the past five seasons. Cleveland is counting on Thomas to contribute as it pursues a return to the Eastern Conference Finals, a larger responsibility than that faced by the prior second-round picks described in the report.