Week 5 NBA Rookie of the Year: Joel Embiid leading one-man race

USA TODAY Sports' top three candidates for the 2016-17 NBA Rookie of the Year award (through Dec. 3).

Also receiving votes: Malcolm Brogdon, Willy Hernangomez, Domantas Sabonis, Brandon Ingram

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3. Dario Saric, Philadelphia 76ers

In 20 games (10 starts) for the Sixers, Saric — who was drafted with the 12th overall pick in 2014 and spent the past two seasons toning his skills in Turkey — is averaging 9.4 points, 6.0 rebounds and 2.0 assists. He tied his career-high of 21 points (on 7-of-12 shooting) on Sunday against the Boston Celtics.

2. Jamal Murray, Denver Nuggets

After being named Western Conference Rookie of the Month and putting together three straight 20-point outings last week, Murray struggled a bit this week, averaging just 5.0 points on 7-of-29 shooting. He's averaging 9.5 points, 2.9 rebounds and 2.0 assists on the season, though, and seems to have found his place in the Nuggets' rotation.

1. Joel Embiid, Philadelphia 76ers

The 7-foot, 250-pound center was his usual dominant self this week, and he saw a slight increase in minutes as he eases his way into NBA action after two foot surgeries and two missed seasons. He put up 22 points and nine rebounds in 25 minutes against the Cleveland Cavaliers on Sunday and 25 points and 10 rebounds in 27 minutes against the Orlando Magic on Friday. For the season, he's averaging 18.7 points, 7.9 rebounds and 2.2 blocks in just 23.2 minutes.

List of voters: USA TODAY Sports' Jeff Zillgitt, Sam Amick, Kevin Spain, AJ Neuharth-Keusch and Michael Singer; Arizona Republic's Paul Coro; The (Memphis) Commercial Appeal's Ronald Tillery; Detroit Free Press' Vince Ellis; Indianapolis Star's Nate Taylor; Milwaukee Journal Sentinel's Charles Gardner; The (Bergen) Record's Steve Popper; HoopsHype.com's Jorge Sierra and Raul Barrigon; USA TODAY Sports Weekly's Howard Megdal.