. Ryan Kalkbrenner, Charlotte Hornets
January ranking: No. 7

Kalkbrenner ranked fifth in the first edition of these rankings, but he hasn't maintained his scorching statistical start. For instance, he averaged 2.6 blocks through his first nine games, but he is down to 1.3 since.

The Hornets have also played much better with Moussa Diabate manning the center position instead of the bigger, slower Kalkbrenner.

But the rookie second-rounder has still exceeded all reasonable expectations and produced one of the best seasons in his class. Kalkbrenner remains a hyperefficient scorer, with a 75% true shooting mark that would lead the league if he qualified, and his rim protection is still a plus, even if he's no longer blocking everything in sight.