Who Are The Best Rookies In The Nba?
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The NBA season is in full swing and there are plenty of talented rookies making a big impact. Who are the best rookies in the NBA so far?
Zion Williamson
Zion Williamson was the number one pick in the 2019 NBA draft and is a small forward/power forward for the New Orleans Pelicans. Williamson is considered one of the best rookies in the NBA. He is averaging 23.6 points, 6.8 rebounds, and 2.2 assists per game.
His game
Williamson plays as a small forward and power forward. He is officially listed at 6 feet 7 inches (2.01 m) and 285 pounds (129 kg), but measured 6 feet 6¼ inches without shoes and weighed 272 pounds at the 2019 NBA Draft Combine. Williamson has been praised for his unique combination of size, strength, athleticism, ball-handling skills, shooting ability, and unselfishness on the court.
His potential
Zion Williamson is one of the most electrifying players to enter the NBA in recent memory. The 2019 first overall pick has mesmerized fans with his highlight-reel dunks and seemingly limitless potential. Standing 6-foot-7 and weighing in at 285 pounds, Williamson is an absolute physical specimen. He’s incredibly strong and explosive, and he moves seamlessly for someone his size. Simply put, Williamson is a once-in-a-generation talent.
While Williamson’s physical tools are undeniable, there are some concerns about his long-term health. He missed significant time during his lone season at Duke due to a knee injury, and there are concerns that his style of play could lead to further injuries down the road. That said, Williamson has shown no signs of slowing down since joining the NBA, and he looks poised to be one of the league’s best players for years to come.
Ja Morant
As the Memphis Grizzlies begin their season opener against the Minnesota Timberwolves, all eyes will be on Ja Morant. The highly anticipate rookie has been compared to Russell Westbrook and is looking to take the league by storm.
His game
Morant was voted unanimously to the All-Rookie First Team. He averaged 17.6 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 7 assists per game, shooting 36.3% from three-point range and 49.1% from the field. He became the first player in NBA history to average at least 17 points, 3 rebounds, and 7 assists per game while shooting 35% or better from three-point range in their rookie season. Morant was also one of only three rookies in NBA history, along with Oscar Robertson and Magic Johnson, to average at least 16 points, 3 rebounds, and 6 assists per game.
His potential
In terms of physical potential, Morant looks like he could be a perennial All-Star. He’s got great size for a point guard at 6’3″ and he’s an above-average athlete. His combination of strength and explosiveness is rare and he has all the tools you look for in a lead guard.
What separates Morant from most prospects is his feel for the game. He’s an instinctive playmaker who always seems to make the right decision with the ball in his hands. He see the whole court and has great vision as a passer. He’s also an excellent decision maker in the pick-and-roll, which is one of the most important skills for a point guard in today’s NBA.
RJ Barrett
RJ Barrett is a Canadian professional basketball player for the New York Knicks of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He played college basketball for one year with the Duke Blue Devils before being drafted by the Knicks in the first round with the third overall pick in the 2019 NBA draft.
His game
Barrett was born in Toronto, Ontario to Rowan Barrett, a former Canadian national team player, and Kesha Wherett-Barrett. He spent his early childhood in Mississauga before moving to Florida at age 10. He played his first two years of high school basketball at Montverde Academy in Montverde, Florida before transferring to Athlete Institute Basketball Academy in Mono, Ontario for his junior and senior years. Barrett was widely regarded as one of the top high school prospects in the class of 2018. He was ranked as the number one player by ESPN and number two by 247Sports.com and scout.com.
His potential
RJ Barrett has the potential to be one of the best rookies in the NBA. He was the third overall pick in the 2019 NBA Draft by the New York Knicks. Barrett is a 6’7″ shooting guard from Canada. He played one season of college basketball for Duke University before declaring for the NBA Draft. Barrett was named a consensus first-team All-American and the USBWA National Freshman of the Year. He averaged 22.6 points, 4.3 assists, and 7.6 rebounds per game for Duke.
