Ryder Cup Overview

By: Luke Heintzman

The Ryder Cup is one of the most exhilarating events in sports. It combines national pride with fierce competition, where every shot counts. This year, the tournament returns to the United States, set at the notoriously difficult Bethpage Black on Long Island. Expect to see the best in the world try out and outlast one another on a course designed to break the best of the best. This article aims to break down the names competing and what to expect throughout the week.

Team USA:

Scottie Scheffler:

OWGR: 1

It’s Scottie Scheffler's world, and we are just living in it. The current world number 1 has had a remarkable year, winning the PGA Championship and Open Championship while leading the tour in wins and every type of finish. The world rankings gap between him and the field is reaching an all-time high, with him having over three times the number of world ranking points as rank 3 Xander Schaufle. Scheffler's Statistical profile is almost spotless. He leads the tour in strokes gained driving and approach. He possesses the best clubface control on tour, controlling the ball like no other. Along with this otherworldly long game, he has an excellent short game, being 16th in his play around the greens and 18th in putting. With this incredible all-around profile, Scheffler seems unbeatable in this format. The bad news is that the USA can only have him out there for five matches. He’s capable of having a perfect record, but for as great as he is, no one can do it alone.

Fun Miscellaneous Stat: Scheffler leads the tour in scoring average for every single round.

Xander Schaefele 

OWGR: 3

It’s been a rough year for Schaefele after a dominant 2024 in which he won two major tournaments and pushed Scottie more than anyone in the world. His play has seen a massive drop, however, plummeting from second in the world in strokes gained to 54th. This drop stems from uncharacteristic putting woes. He was a top-8 putter in the world two years ago, but has dropped to 127th for the 2025 season. He failed to qualify through the FedEx Cup playoffs, which felt unthinkable a year ago. If he doesn’t find his game, the US may be in trouble as he will be unplayable against Europe's firepower. Still, the talent is there, and he's a top 5 player in the world on merit if things go wrong. Expect him to be a serious wild card here. 

Fun Miscellaneous Stat: Henley is the second-best putter on tour from 20-25 feet

Russell Henley

OWGR: 4

One could argue that no player has gone more under the radar this season than Henley, who burst into the top 5 of the world rankings and total strokes gained. Henley's game is built on his tremendous wedge play, which took an even bigger step forward this year. He finished top 15 in strokes gained around the greens and top 6 in strokes gained approach. He also finished second in the tour in proximity to the hole, behind his excellent play inside 125 yards, which is at the top of the tour. He has also begun to gain with the putter, going from one of the worst on tour to above average in the last year, which has pushed him over the top. He’s not as experienced as many players in these kinds of events, but if he sticks to what he’s been doing this year, he’s a top 5 player at the event based on current performance.

Fun Miscellaneous Stat: Henley is the second-best putter on tour from 20-25 feet

Justin Thomas

OWGR: 5

There are two versions of Justin Thomas. There is one that can putt and the one that cannot. After two years of atrocious putting, the former world number one has found that part of his game and even gotten it to a well-above-average level. He’s actually seen slight dips in the rest of his game year after year, but the putting improvement has been so drastic that he broke back into the top 10 of strokes gained once again.  Thomas brings a wealth of experience to this event compared to his teammates and will be relied upon in key spots. He’s shown up many times for America, which gives you the belief that you’ll be getting a version closer to world number one Justin Thomas versus 2024 Justin Thomas. If anything's for sure, his singles match will be a must-see event. 

J.J Spaun

OWGR: 6

Perhaps the story of the season, Spaun started the year outside the top 100 in the world rankings, ending inside the top 10 with a U.S. Open victory. His ball striking and consistent approach play have always been the elite part of his game, but he took another step, moving near the top 5 on tour.  His driving had a big turnaround despite not adding any distance and hitting the rough even more often. He’s been about to place it in the center more consistently, letting him show off his approach game. Spaun is just playing fantastic golf right now and can match up with anyone. He’s had some rough moments in big pressure situations this year, but he also had an unreal finish to his U.S. Open. If he can steady the ship mentally, he looks like an underrated threat to Europe's hopes of repeating. 

Fun Miscellaneous Stat: Spain had the fifth-longest streak of consecutive fairways hit on tour at 23

Colin Morrikawa

OWGR: 7

There are few players on tour as mesmerizing and frustrating as Morikawa. Outside of Scottie Scheffler, there may not be a player in the world you want to see with an iron in their hand. He is consistently top 5 on tour in strokes gained approach, tearing apart golf courses from the fairway. He is also a top-three player in the world in par-three scoring. Morikawa's game hangs in the balance of his shaky putter. It’s been dreadful this year, losing him about a third of a stroke per round. Despite this hole in his game, he’s still in the top 16 in strokes gained on tour, thanks to the stellar performance of his irons and driver. In a format like the Ryder Cup, though, you'll feel like he's leaving a lot of key holes on the table with how close he’ll be getting to some pins.

Fun Miscellaneous Stat: Morikawa is 3rd in birdie percentage on par 3s but 147th on par 5s

Harris English 

OWGR: 10

Another tour veteran found his groove. Harris has carved out a long career based on the consistency of his putter. With multiple top 10 putting seasons in his career, Harris hasn’t lost that part of the game in 2025, ranking 13th on tour. His career season has been led by improvements in the long game, especially with the driver. His total distance has increased by almost 15 yards in the last two years, leading to a significant jump in strokes gained off the tee. The approach play has remained shaky, however, holding back some upside in his scoring potential. If paired with one of the USA’s elite ball strikers, his ability to make big putts will be massive in a matchplay format and to get the home crowd going.

Fun Miscellaneous Stat: English has the fourth-longest streak of no three putts on tour

Ben Griffin

OWGR: 11

It’s been a true rollercoaster of a career for Griffin, who almost gave up the game to be a mortgage salesman a few years ago. Despite almost quitting professional golf, he returned to the tour and found his game in a massive way. Griffin snagged the first two wins of his career this year on the back of a well-rounded game, truly firing on all cylinders. Griffin is fifth on tour in total strokes gained, thanks to all areas being above average. His putting and approach game are his bread and butter, but he is solid off the tee and around the green and has no clear holes that could cost him. He’s never been a part of an event this big before, so there is a chance the rookie nerves get to him. Purely based on how well everyone is playing the game of golf right now, Griffin is near the top.  

Fun Miscellaneous Stat: Griffin has the third-best front-nine scoring average on tour. 

Cameron Young

OWGR: 20

Cam Young's game and swing can best be described by the phrase “grip it and rip it”. The young pro had his best year on tour, winning his first career tournament. Young is one of the top drivers on tour, consistently ranking in the top 20-30, gaining strokes off the tee. These stats are built on his speed, which ranks as the top 12 fastest swingers on tour, along with top 15 distance numbers. His physical presence is awe-inspiring and something that can get into an opponent's head. This season, though, he’s had a dramatic improvement in the putter, going from the bottom of the tour to the top 5 in a year. He’ll need the putter to stay hot, as despite the driver, his approach play leaves a lot to be desired, especially in this format. 

Fun Miscellaneous Stat: Young is near the bottom of the tour in his longest par or better streak.

Bryson DeChambeau

OWGR: 21

Don’t let the world ranking fool you; outside of Scottie Scheffler, there is no player on this American team more dangerous than Bryson DeChambeau. His move to LIV Golf has limited the availability of his overall statistics, but a single glance at a tee shot is enough to get the gist. Known for his recent crusade to revolutionize the game of golf, DeChambeau shot up the tour leaderboards in driving distance. Since then, he has won multiple majors and is always a key player in such events. Though controversial to some, there’s no denying his individual talent. It’s worth mentioning that his distance is so unique that some of the approaches he faces are obscure to teammates, which makes him a hard guy to pair with. His power will likely get the home crowd going; he’s incredibly capable of producing magic when needed.

Fun Miscellaneous Stat: DeChambeau led the tour in driving distance, club head speed, and strokes gained driving before leaving for LIV.

Patrick Cantlay

OWGR: 22

Despite a molasses-like playing style and a personality as dry as a cactus, there's no disputing the quality of golf Cantlay produces. Despite a less-than-stellar 2024, the former FedEx Cup champ has made it seem like a blip on the radar, rebounding for another top-end season. Like the game's elite, Cantlay is an extremely well-rounded player. It starts with his buttery swing that gives him effortless control of the tee and in the fairways. He’s one of the best players in the world, tee to green, carrying him to a top-10 finish in strokes gained this year. He also doesn’t give anything short of his best, and rarely beats himself. His stoic, some would say boring, demeanour has saved him in the clutch as well in these high-pressure tournaments. Expect some big moments from him.

Fun Miscellaneous Stat: Cantlay is the second-best player in the world at scoring on par 4s.

Sam Burns 

OWGR: 23

It could have been a year to remember for Burns until a rain-soaked Sunday in the U.S. Open caused an epic collapse on the back 9. Burns' game is all about his putting, which is the best on the planet right now. He is leagues above the field right now and is the only player close to gaining a stroke a round on tour. In the Matchplay format, Burns' ability to make those few extra putts could steal holes down the end and will make him a partner everyone on the American side will want to play with. The issue with Burns is that he doesn’t have any other standout skills and is a fairly underwhelming iron player. Despite his deficiencies, the putter is so good that he’s a tough matchup for anyone. If he can find the long game, he could swing the tide of a few matches. 

Fun Miscellaneous Stat: Burns makes a higher percentage of putts inside 10 feet than anyone

Team Europe:

Rory McIlroy

OWGR: 2

The leader of Team Europe and their top guy, Rory McIlroy, always brings epics to the Ryder Cup. After accomplishing his lifelong dream of winning the Masters and completing the career Grand Slam, McIlroy has seen a slight dip in motivation, following the release of the feelings he experienced in April. If there’s ever an event to get him going again, it’s the Ryder Cup. McIlroy, when he’s on, is the clear second-best player in the world and the one who can look a level above even Scottie Scheffler. McIlroy's game has always been defined by the best driving ability in the world, and some would argue, of all time. Despite a modest stature for pro golf, McIlroy can use all the levers of his body to launch the ball farther and straighter than anyone. He’s second on the tour in driving distance and third in strokes gained off the tee, where he’s sat for over a decade. His Master's glory, however, came from the back of a new-found putter that has almost reached the same level as his driver, being top 10 in the world for the first time in his career. The putter has been so strong that even with a dip in his approach play, he still stands top 5 on tour in total strokes gained through the season. McIlroy will be a big x-factor for the European side, as he gives them a near-unmatched talent if he finds his motivation from the start of the season. One thing is for sure, though: expect some massive drives and some massive roars.    

Fun Miscellaneous Stat: McIlroy has been the second-best putter on tour from 15-20 this season.

Tommy Fleetwood

OWGR: 7

It was a rewarding year for Tommy Fleetwood, who broke out for his first tour win in the last tournament of the season at the Tour Championship. Fleetwood had simply been dominant all season, finishing just behind Scheffler in total strokes gained. If it weren't for a few bad stretches, Fleetwood could have won several times on tour. Fleetwood has been known for his beautiful iron swing and signature short follow-through. He finished top 10 again in strokes gained approach and will be lighting up flags at the tournament. His whole game is clicking as he ranks in the top 50 in all significant aspects of the game, with almost no one else doing so this season. The putter has also been phenomenal this season, rarely letting him down. Although his trophy case is less than most of these players around him, you could agree he’s currently playing the second-best golf in the world and is likely being slept on for this tournament. It also helps that he’s been a Ryder Cup killer when in worse form than now.   

Fun Miscellaneous Stat: Fleetwood is the best putter on tour outside of 25 feet.

Robert MacIntyre 

OWGR: 7

Another player defined by the steadiness of his game. If you looked at MacIntyre on the street, you’d never think he’s a professional athlete, but he finds a way on the course. No skill particularly stands out in his game, but he’s solid everywhere and doesn’t give everything away. He was one place away from conquering three national opens, which would have been a historic feat. His performance at a course like Oakmont should help him survive at the most challenging courses around, which you need when playing Bethpage. He may not produce many signature moments, but he’ll kill you with consistency and make the US earn their wins against him.  

Fun Miscellaneous Stat: MacIntyre has the 5th-best back-nine scoring average on tour. 

Victor Hovland

OWGR: 12

Europe's version of Collin Morikawa, Hovland, has had his own ups and downs recently, spreading through coaches like a chainsaw. The ball striking with Hovland has never been a debate, and reached a new high in 202, being the second-best approach player on tour after Scheffler. Outside of a hundred yards, he gets within a closer proximity to anyone on tour, piling up birdie looks. At his best, he can have more circles on the scorecard than anyone, but the issue is what he looks like when he’s off.  When Hovland isn’t on his game, there’s an argument to be made that he was the worst short game on the entire PGA tour. It had been nightmarish for him in the past, and despite how many birdies he can make when he misses the greens, the bogeys pile up. In a Ryder Cup format, his weaknesses can be masked as he has a teammate taking some shots for him, and his ability to get birdies is paramount in match play. Expect him to go on some hot streaks where it feels like he's placing his approach shots next to the hole.

Fun Miscellaneous Stat: Hovland has the third-best fairway proximity on tour for his drives. 

Justin Rose

OWGR: 14

At the age of 45, Rose is the oldest player at this tournament, but also its most experienced. Rose has been a staple for the European side for over a decade, consistently coming through in the clutch when called upon. At first glance, his season stats appear relatively modest, being below tour average in all aspects of his game except for his approach play. That being said, the former world number one is still capable of turning back the clock in key moments and big tournaments. He nearly won the Masters after a thrilling back nine where he produced magic shot after shot, and he took home the St Jude championship after another back nine comeback where he closed the deal in the playoff. Rose, in his prime, was elite at all aspects of the game, and if that player shows up at the tournament, he’s a nightmare. He’s a player who lives for this event, and you can NEVER count him out of any match. 

Fun Miscellaneous Stat: Rose is third in proximity from 150-175 yards but 117th from 175-200 yards. 

Sepp Straka

OWGR: 15

Another player having a career year, Straka won twice on tour this year and catapulted into the top 10 off strokes gained on tour. Straka’s improvement can simply be attributed to improvement in every area of the game. His weaknesses in his short game have become more manageable, and his already good long game has moved up with the elite of the game. While not long off the tee, he is incredibly consistent and sets up his high-end approach game well. In a tournament like the Ryder Cup, his ball striking will be crucial in the pairs matchups, as many of his teammates have mentioned. He could be a big sleeper to look out for.

Fun Miscellaneous Stat: Straka is third in proximity from both 75-100 yards and 100-125 yards from the fairway.

Ludvig Aberg

OWGR: 15

It wasn't an ideal year for the young Swede, who had massive expectations for the year after a fantastic sophomore season and an early signature tournament win. Aberg saw a noticeable dip in his overall game, particularly in his approach play. Aberg is a strange case, as for the fairway, he is one of the best iron players on tour. However, when he’s in the rough, he looks like a completely different golfer, being at the bottom of the tour in that area. He remains an effective player, as evidenced by his position as one of the top drivers on tour, ranking in the top 15 in driving distance and top 10 in strokes gained driving. The putter and short game also haven’t been where you’d want, and have held him back from contending at any majors. It’s hard to tell what should be expected of him, but his talent level is near the top of the tournament, and he’s already gotten experience at this event.   

Fun Miscellaneous Stat: Aberg is 36th in approach from 125-150 yards from the fairway but 147th from the rough.

Shane Lowry

OWGR: 24

In another Ryder Cup, Lowry’s game is more suited for the European course layout, but he’s always brought a strong game to this event. Lowry is another player who is exceptional in his approach. Statistically, he is only behind Hovland in the European team ranking and is top 5 on tour in strokes gained approach. A lot of that value comes from his fantastic wedge play, which suits a tournament like this, where he’ll be paired with some big European hitters. As mentioned, getting birdies is key for the matchplay format, and having as good a wedge as Lowry with the wedge is incredibly valuable. The rest of his game hasn’t seen much growth, though, and his putter has been a liability this season, costing him a ton of low rounds. Find Lowry the right partner, though, and you have yourself a pair to be recorded with. 

Fun Miscellaneous Stat: Lowry made the second-longest putt on tour this year at 97 feet 6 inches

Tyrell Hatton

OWGR: 25

If you watched Hatton play golf without context, you’d swear a local temperamental scratch golfer had snuck under the tour ropes and gotten into a pro tournament. Hatton has become notorious for his reactions throughout the years, looking like an average 18 handicapper watching a shot sail out of bounds. The funny part is that Hatton has a strong case to be one of the best players in the world and is maybe the most underrated golfer competing. Before his move to LIV, Hatton was on a run on the PGA Tour, being a top 10 strokes gained scorer and winning the Arnold Palmer Invitational. He is a highly well-rounded player, excelling in all aspects of the sport, as many players have mentioned. In recent years, he has been able to combine his on- and off-course driving success, which has led to being a top 15 driver and putter in his last two years —a very rare feat. You never know what these LIV players will do, but Hatton had an excellent primary season with three top 15s and a run at the US Open. His competitiveness has helped in past Ryder Cups, and he’ll be no easy out for any American.

Fun Miscellaneous Stat: His last year on tour, Hatton was 15th in driving while being 101st in accuracy.

Matt Fitzpatrick

OWGR: 29

Fitzpatrick has steadied the ship after a disastrous 2024 season, but is still a ways away from his historic past dominance, which led him to a U.S. Open title. Fitzpatrick's putter has been the one consistent part of his game, still ranking at the top of the tour, but not at the elite level it was at a few years ago. He managed to steady out his all-around game and doesn’t have any massive holes to worry about. At his peak, he was one of the best drivers and chippers in the world with his unconventional crosshanded grip. If he can tap into that this week, he can dominate in all formats, but there’s a chance the game stays level, and he looks a bit below the rest. 

Fun Miscellaneous Stat: Fitzpatrick ranked 6th on the tour in sand saves.

Rasmus Hojgaard

OWGR: 58

Hojgaard is definitely the most unproven member of the Euro team, but he brings some upside and skills that could have him outperform expectations. Hojgaard is the youngest member of the team Europe and brings some serious speed to the table. In his first tour season, Hojgaard was 7th in driving distance and 5th in clubhead speed. This game should translate well to Bethpage, where you need to hit the ball a long way to survive. The length he brings also matches well with all the elite ball strikers on the European side. He’s yet to show any high-level performance with the rest of the game, though, and this is a chance where he looks entirely out of place as the tournament progresses, although the Euro is betting on that upside, which could prove to be a worthy gamble.   

Fun Miscellaneous Stat: Hojgaard is the most aggressive player on tour, going for 70% of par 5s.

Jon Rahm

OWGR: 73

Like DeChambeau, the world ranking doesn’t accurately represent this player. The former world number one has had a tougher time since joining LIV, but still possesses arguably top-3 talent in the world at his best. He ended the LIV season on fire, winning the individual championship over Bryson DeChambeau. Rahm is just an all-around stud of a player. He bombs it off the tee, has wickets irons, is one of the best wedge players of all time, and can putt. He’s been world number 1 and one of the masters for a reason. When focused, Rahm can go toe to toe with anyone. Europe will need to hope he stays sharp with the  LIV season ending early, as he gives them a potential ringer if he’s one. Of all the names mentioned, Rahm probably has the most control over the outcome, because if he’s on, Europe will likely have too much firepower.  

Fun Miscellaneous Stat: Rahm was top 10 in total strokes gained on tour for six straight seasons before he left.

College Football National Championship: The Big Dance

Author: Max McClean

The stage is set for the inaugural 12-team College Football National Championship, featuring the Notre Dame Fighting Irish and the Ohio State Buckeyes. Both teams secured hard-fought victories in the final minutes of their respective games, capping off impressive runs of three consecutive wins to reach this climactic point.

Notre Dame's path to the national championship was anything but smooth. In early September they fell to Northern Illinois—a team that wrapped up the season 8-5 and ranked seventh in the MAC. The journey was equally tumultuous for Ohio State, highlighted by a stunning Week 14 loss to archrival Michigan. Despite being considered far less talented to the Buckeyes' $20 million roster, the Wolverines delivered a performance that shocked the state of Ohio, calling for Ryan Day to be fired. 

Fast forward to the present, and the stage is set for Notre Dame and Ohio State to clash for the National Championship on Monday night. Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta will host the inaugural 12-team playoff final, as two storied programs vie for college football’s ultimate prize.

No.8 Ohio State:

That rivalry-week loss to Michigan ignited a fire in the Buckeyes. Since that day in Columbus, Ohio State has been unstoppable, amassing blowout victories over Tennessee, Oregon, and, most recently, Texas. They haven't just won—they've been dominating, defeating their opponents by an average of 19 points. 

Jack Sawyer is the definitive leader of this Buckeyes team. Last week he secured the win over Texas with a strip sack fumble return TD against his former roommate Quinn Ewers. In addition to that play, Sawyer has amassed 10 tackles, 4.5 sacks, and 6 passes defended. Sawyer decided to come back for his fourth year at Ohio, and while the first goal of beating Michigan may not have paid off, Sawyer's ability to step up in key moments has been a defining trait of this Buckeye championship run.

Will Howard’s ability to get the ball to his playmakers has been the key to the Buckeyes postseason success. In his three playoff games, Howard has thrown for over 900 yards and 6 touchdowns while completing over 70% of his passes in two of the matchups. The loss to Michigan at the end of the regular season highlighted how crucial getting the ball out was, with just 175 passing yards, a 57.6% completion rate, and two interceptions, the offence stalled, and the team fell short. When Howard is in sync and spreading the ball to his weapons, the team thrives, but when he struggles, the results reflect it.

Those weapons at his disposal, particularly Jeremiah Smith and Emeka Egbuka have carried the Buckeyes offense. Smith, the true freshman, has been a breakout star in 2024, hauling in 71 receptions for 1,227 yards and 14 touchdowns, with a remarkable 17.3 yards per catch. His ability to stretch the field makes him a constant threat to opposing defences. Complementing Smith is senior Emeka Egbuka, who chose to come back as opposed to opting for the NFL last season. Egbuka added 947 receiving yards and 10 touchdowns to his already impressive career totals. Together, Smith and Egbuka provide Howard with a stacked arsenal, giving the team serious offensive firepower. 

Ohio State’s offence faces a tough task as it faces Notre Dame, a team that ranks 7th in the nation in yards allowed per game. Marcus Freeman’s defence has been one of the toughest units all season, and the Buckeyes will need to maintain their offensive efficiency to keep their championship hopes alive.

No.7 Notre Dame:

Under Marcus Freeman, Notre Dame has undergone a significant culture shift since Brian Kelly left. Last September’s heartbreaking buzzer-beater loss in South Bend, where a touchdown run snatched victory away, became a turning point for the Fighting Irish. Since that loss in September 2023, they have only lost two games, transforming Notre Dame into a more determined and battle-tested squad, ready to seize this National Championship.

The Notre Dame offence is led by fifth-year quarterback Riley Leonard, who has taken significant strides this season, particularly as a dual-threat QB. In the Sugar Bowl, Leonard’s versatility was on display as he rushed for 80 yards. That being said, his rushing prowess was completely stifled against Penn State, where he managed just 35 yards on a season-high 18 carries. Ohio State’s Jack Sawyer could very well replicate the disruptive impact that Abdul Carter had in containing Leonard. 

Notre Dame’s offence has relied heavily on Jeremiah Love's breakout season. In 2024, Love has rushed for 1,122 yards and 17 touchdowns, averaging an explosive 7.1 yards per carry. Love was reported to be battling a knee injury before the Penn State game but was able to go. Some concerns still linger about his effectiveness heading into the matchup against Ohio State, but I expect Love to be firing on all cylinders ahead of the Natty.

Ohio State and Notre Dame boast two of the best defences in the nation, ranked 1st and 2nd, respectively. Ohio State allows just 12.2 points per game, with Jack Sawyer leading a fierce pass rush. Notre Dame, ranked 2nd with 14.3 points allowed per game, has a solid defence but lacks a standout star like Sawyer with their closest thing being corner Benjamin Morrison. The Irish will need someone to step up and play above expectations if they look to slow down Ohio State's run-and-gun offence.

Pick ‘Em:

Ohio State enters an 8.5-point favourite and it's easy to see why. With a dominant defence led by Jack Sawyer and a high-powered offence featuring Will Howard, Jeremiah Smith, and Emeka Egbuka, the Buckeyes have the complete package to capture the title. While Notre Dame's defence ranks 2nd overall, Riley Leonard offers dual-threat ability The Buckeyes' relentless pressure and offensive depth should prove too much for the Fighting Irish. Ohio State's loss to Michigan woke something up in them, and they seem primed to seize the title.

Ohio State Wins, 27-20

Early Leading Candidates for the 2024-2025 NBA Season Awards

By: Mark Luo

Stats taken up to date as of December 19th 2024

As we near the midpoint of the NBA season, there has already been a ton of action in the league, with standout performances, rising stars, and plenty of surprise performances. This raises the question: which players have set themselves apart from the rest so far? While it's still very early, clear frontrunners are already emerging for the league’s major awards. Here's a breakdown of the leading candidates, their performances, and what sets them apart from the field.

Most Valuable Player (MVP): Nikola Jokić

Source: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images

Coming into the season, we all knew that Nikola Jokić was going to be in the MVP conversation. However, many speculated that voter fatigue would prevent him from reclaiming the award unless he produces an undeniable, all-time great performance this season. That’s exactly what he’s delivered so far.

Somehow, in some way, the Joker can level up his game even further every season. He is essentially averaging a 30-point triple-double with 30.9 points, 13.3 rebounds, and 9.9 assists per game while shooting an absurd 55.8% from the field and 48.9% from three. The numbers speak for themselves, but what’s more impressive is how he’s single-handedly keeping the Denver Nuggets afloat. With much of his supporting cast underperforming, Jokić’s ability to control the offense, grab rebounds, and hit clutch shots has carried Denver to key wins. If he wins his fourth MVP award this season, he will join a generational group including Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Magic Johnson, Michael Jordan, Wilt Chamberlain, and Lebron James, cementing himself as one of the all-time NBA greats.

Honorable Mention(s):

Giannis Antetokounmpo (Milwaukee Bucks): After a 2-8 start to the season from the Bucks, Giannis has dragged them to a winning record, as they continue to climb the standings in the East. He is currently leading the league in scoring with around 33 PPG and is still a monster on the defensive end. Being the MVP of the NBA Cup is helping his case, but that still does not detract from the fact that the Bucks are still not off to an ideal start to this season.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (Oklahoma City Thunder): Shai continues to cement his place in the league as a superstar, putting up over 30 points per game while leading the #1-seeded Thunder in the West. His offensive output and his leadership have been great so far, but Jokić's historic production gives him the edge for now.

Defensive Player of the Year (DPOY): Victor Wembanyama

Source: Thearon W. Henderson. Getty Images.

In just his second year, Victor Wembanyama has already established himself as one of the most dominant defensive forces in the league. The 7’4” star leads the NBA with 3.5 blocks per game. Wemby is a perfect blend of size, athleticism, and defensive instinct. His skills and impact on the defensive end go beyond the box score. His height, absurd wingspan, and mobility allow him to guard both the rim and the perimeter effectively, making him the definition of a versatile defender. The Spurs' defensive on/off metrics significantly improve when Wembanyama is on the court. The Spurs with Wemby has had a 113.8 defensive rating so far this season, but in games that he has missed, the team’s rating drops to an abysmal 118.9 defensive rating, which puts them near dead last in the league.

Honorable Mention(s):

Evan Mobley (Cleveland Cavaliers): Mobley anchors the Cavaliers' defense, which currently ranks among the league’s best. He is also among the league leaders in defense metrics so far this season, and his presence is felt whenever he’s on the court. This in combination with the Cavs’ early success makes him another strong contender in the DPOY race so far.

Rookie of the Year (ROTY): Stephon Castle

Source: NBA.com

Despite an underwhelming rookie class this year, the Rookie of the Year race so far has been very interesting. Currently, Stephon Castle from the Spurs is the front-runner for the award, as he has shown flashes of brilliance with around 11.7 points, 3.9 assists, and 2.6 rebounds per game. He has also shown to be a strong defender, with good defensive instincts and the ability to make plays in key moments down the stretch, which has helped keep the Spurs somewhat competitive throughout the season so far. While his shooting splits are less efficient, he has strong upside on the offensive end and has the potential to be a great player. There is still a lot of room for him to grow as a player for the rest of the season to come.

Honorable Mention(s):

Jared McCain (Philadelphia 76ers): Taken 16th overall in the draft, McCain has far exceeded expectations, averaging 15.3 points per game on impressive 46/38/87 shooting splits in just 26 minutes per game. His production has stood out among the rest of his draft class. Unfortunately, McCain’s recent torn meniscus has put him out indefinitely, which hurts his candidacy for the award.

Dalton Knecht (Los Angeles Lakers): Knecht brought his name into the race during his amazing stretch in the second half of November, where he averaged just under 19 PPG while playing over 31 minutes per game, stepping up in the absence of Rui Hachimura. His production has dropped off a bit since then, as he is now averaging around 10.8 points, but he has already established himself as a valuable piece for the Lakers’ rotation thus far already.

Most Improved Player (MIP): Jalen Williams

Source: Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images

The OKC Thunder have faced a lot of injuries this year. With many players out since the start of the season, the Thunder needed someone to step up, and Jalen Williams has done just that. JDub’s numbers have gotten better and better each season, improving in virtually every statistical category. He is putting up career numbers this season with around 22/6/5 on a very efficient 50% FG and 38% from 3. Williams has also been very strong on the defensive end, ranking third in the league in steals per game. He is a huge contributing factor as to why the Thunder have the best record in the Western Conference. If Williams can maintain his production and stay healthy, he has a very strong case to take the award this year.

Honorable Mention(s):

Franz Wagner (Orlando Magic): Wagner’s breakout season has been a tremendous factor in the Orlando Magic’s strong start. The 23-year-old small forward has increased his scoring to 24.4 points per game, a jump of about 5 points from last year, while still maintaining great shooting efficiency. Wagner’s playmaking has taken a leap, as his assist numbers have gone up, and his on-court decision-making has improved from the eye test as well. Unfortunately, he was sidelined recently with a torn oblique, and like McCain’s case, hurts his candidacy going forward.

Sixth Man of the Year (6MOY): Payton Pritchard

Source: AP Photo/Steven Senne

Payton Pritchard has emerged as a key spark off the bench for the Boston Celtics. He’s averaging 16.5 points per game while shooting a very efficient 48/43/84. He isn’t just getting it done as a sixth man, he is one of the best volume three-point shooters this season. His 43% from three is the highest amongst players who have attempted over 200 threes. His sharpshooting and energy make him a frontrunner for 6MOY, and potentially even for MIP. This leap in production is even more remarkable considering that just two years ago, he was seeking a trade for a larger role.

Honorable Mention(s):

Amen Thompson has been essential to the Rocket’s strong defensive season. He has been one of the strong anchors of a top 5 defensive team so far this year. His athleticism and physicality give him the skills to stay in front of elite offensive players. Although his shot is still lacking, he has also slowly improved on the offensive end, making great cuts toward the basket and creating strong options for his teammates once they get into the paint.

Coach of the Year (COTY): Kenny Atkinson

Source: NBA.com

Kenny Atkinson has revitalized the Cleveland Cavaliers, leading them to a #1 seed in the Eastern Conference and the best record in the NBA so far. The Cavs are still a strong defensive team like last season, boasting a 112.1 defensive rating, but their biggest improvement has come from their offense, where they currently hold the best offensive rating in the league with 121.3. Since winning NBA Eastern Conference Coach of the Month for games played in October and November, he has been widely praised for bringing the best out of the talented players in the team and building strong chemistry.

Honorable Mention(s):

Ime Udoka (Houston Rockets): Udoka has coached the team to a complete turnaround in Houston. The Rockets currently hold a 17-9 record and sit 3rd in the Western Conference, which is a massive improvement from the .500 record they had last year. Udoka’s emphasis on defense and discipline has turned the Rockets into serious playoff contenders.