NBA Youngsters to Watch This Season

Keep your eye on these up-and-coming NBA players as the season tips off. These young men are poised to make an impact on the league and your fantasy team

Zion Williamson

As the 2019-2020 NBA season approaches, there is much speculation about which rookie will have the best season. One name that always seems to come up in these conversations is Zion Williamson of the New Orleans Pelicans Zion was the first overall pick in the 2019 NBA draft and has been turning heads since he stepped on the court for his first Summer League game. At 6’6” and 285 pounds, Zion is an athletic freak who can do things on the court that very few people are capable of doing.

During his one year of college basketball at Duke, Zion averaged 22.6 points, 8.9 rebounds, 2.1 assists, and 2.1 steals per game while shooting 68.0% from the field and 33.8% from three-point range He also won numerous awards, including the National Player of the Year Award the Wayman Tisdale Award (given to the nation’s top freshman), and the Karl Malone Award (given to the nation’s top power forward).

There is no doubt that Zion Williamson is an incredibly special talent, and there are high expectations for him heading into his rookie season. Some people are even comparing him to Lebron James because of his unique combination of size, strength, speed, athleticism, and skill. While it remains to be seen if Zion can live up to these lofty expectations, there is no doubt that he will be must-see TV this season and will have a huge impact on the league for years to come.

Ja Morant

As a rookie, Ja Morant took the league by storm and earned Rookie of the Year honors. The Memphis Grizzlies point guard is an electrifying player that can score and dish out assists with the best of them. He’s also a good defender, which makes him a well-rounded player. Morant is one of the young players that you should keep an eye on this season.

RJ Barrett

During his one and only year at Duke, RJ Barrett was a key cog in one of the most talented college basketball teams of all time. Alongside fellow future NBA Stars Zion Williamson and Cameron Reddish, Barrett helped lead the Blue Devils to a 32-6 record and an ACC tournament championship. The Ontario native was also named ACC Rookie of the Year and First Team All-American.

Barrett was drafted third overall by the New York Knicks in this year’s NBA Draft and he will have every opportunity to prove himself as a bonafide star in the league. The Knicks have been rebuilding for years, but with the addition of Barrett and some other young talent, they could be ready to turn things around sooner rather than later. Keep an eye on RJ Barrett as he looks to take the next step in his basketball career

De’Andre Hunter

As a rookie, De’Andre Hunter made an impact for the Atlanta Hawks right away, becoming a key player in their rotation. He showed flashes of his potential as a versatile two-way player and he will only continue to get better with more experience. With the Hawks rebuilding, look for Hunter to play an even bigger role this season and emerge as one of the best young players in the NBA.

Tyler Herro

Tyler Herro might be the best shooter in the 2020 NBA Draft class. The former Kentucky Wildcats star made over 42 percent of his three-pointers last season and possesses the ability to create his own shot off the dribble. Herro also has a High Basketball IQ and should be able to contribute right away for the Miami Heat

Coby White

Coby White the seventh overall pick in the 2019 NBA draft enters his rookie season with high expectations. The 6-foot-4-inch shooting guard from North Carolina impressed during Summer League play, averaging 15 points per game He will look to build on that success as a member of the Chicago Bulls this season.

White is expected to be one of the Bulls’ primary scoring threats this season. His ability to shoot from long range makes him a dangerous weapon on offense. In addition to his scoring ability, White is also a capable passer and has the potential to be a solid all-around player at the NBA level.

The Bulls are hoping that White can help them turnaround their fortunes after a disappointing 18-19 season If he lives up to his potential, he could be a key piece for the team as they attempt to return to contention in the Eastern Conference

Kendrick Nunn

Kendrick Nunn of the Miami Heat is one of the NBA’s most promising young talents. Nunn, who went undrafted in 2018, impressed in his rookie season with the Heat, averaging 15.3 points and 3.0 assists per game He followed that up with an even better sophomore campaign, averaging 19.8 points and 4.5 assists per game while shooting a career-high 46.2 percent from three-point range. Nunn has emerged as one of the NBA’s best shooters and has shown the ability to score at all three levels. He is also a solid defender, averaging 1.3 steals per game last season. With Dwyane Wade retired, Nunn is expected to take on an even bigger role for the Heat this season and could emerge as one of the league’s best players.

PJ Washington

As a rookie, Washington was one of the most pleasant surprises of the season. The Hornets forward posted solid numbers across the board, averaging 12.2 points and 5.4 rebounds in 29.4 minutes per game. He also shot 46.2 percent from the field and 39.9 percent from three-point range. While those are good numbers for any player, they’re even more impressive when you consider that Washington is just 21 years old.

Rui Hachimura

Rui Hachimura is a Japanese professional basketball player for the Washington Wizards of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He played College Basketball for the Gonzaga Bulldogs Hachimura was selected with the ninth overall pick in the 2019 NBA draft He became the first Japanese player drafted in the first round and only the second player born outside the United States to be drafted in the lottery.

Bol Bol

Bol Bol is a 7-foot-2 center from the University of Oregon He only played in nine games last season due to a foot injury, but he was very productive in those games, averaging 21 points, 9 rebounds, and 2.7 blocks per game. He has excellent shooting touch for a big man and is a very good shot blocker. Bol Bol is expected to be one of the Top Picks in the 2020 NBA Draft