Who Is Going To Win Rookie Of The Year Nba?
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We’re breaking down the top contenders for the NBA’s Rookie of the Year award. Who do you think is going to take home the hardware?
Zion Williamson
Zion Williamson is a power forward for the New Orleans Pelicans. Williamson was the consensus National Player of the Year and number one recruit in the class of 2018. He played one year of college basketball for Duke before being drafted first overall by the Pelicans in the 2019 NBA draft.
Zion’s impact on the Pelicans
Zion Williamson has yet to play a regular season game in the NBA, but he is already having a major impact on the New Orleans Pelicans. The team has seen a dramatic increase in ticket and merchandise sales since Zion was drafted, and they are now one of the most popular teams in the league. Zion’s presence has also drawn attention to the Pelicans from corporate sponsors, and the team is looking to sign more big-name players in free agency. Zion Williamson is already one of the most popular players in the NBA, and he is only going to get more popular as he starts playing games.
Zion’s stats
In his first 10 games, Zion Williamson averaged 23.6 points and 6.8 rebounds per game while shooting 58.9% from the field and 54.2% from three-point range. He also recorded 1.5 steals and 1.2 blocks per game.
Ja Morant
The 2019-20 NBA season has been one of the most competitive and parity-filled seasons in recent memory. There have been a lot of great rookies this season, but one player that has stood out above the rest is Ja Morant. Morant was drafted with the second overall pick in the 2019 NBA Draft by the Memphis Grizzlies.
Morant’s impact on the Grizzlies
Ja Morant has been spectacular for the Grizzlies in his rookie season. He is averaging 17.6 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 7.0 assists per game while shooting 49.1% from the field and 36.3% from three-point range.
Morant has inject new life into a Grizzlies franchise that had been stuck in mediocrity for years. He has quickly become one of the most exciting players to watch in the NBA, and his play has helped the Grizzlies to a 28-25 record so far this season.
There is no doubt that Morant has been the best rookie in the NBA this season, and he is a big part of why the Grizzlies are currently in seventh place in the Western Conference standings.
Morant’s stats
In his lone season at Murray State, Morant averaged 24.5 points, 10 assists, and 5.7 rebounds per game, leading the team to a 28-6 record and the Ohio Valley Conference championship. He was unanimously named the OVC Player of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year, becoming the first player in conference history to earn both honors in the same season. Morant was also a key figure in Murray State’s upset win over fifth-seeded Marquette in the 2019 NCAA Tournament.
Kendrick Nunn
Nunn’s impact on the Heat
In just a few short months, Kendrick Nunn has made a huge impact on the Miami Heat. After going undrafted in 2018, Nunn signed a training camp deal with the team. He impressed in the preseason and earned a spot on the opening night roster. And, he’s been one of the team’s best players ever since.
Nunn is averaging 15.6 points and 3.4 assists per game while shooting 48.5 percent from the field and 38.3 percent from three-point range. He’s been especially impressive lately, averaging 21.8 points and 4.0 assists over his last eight games.
Nunn’s strong play has helped the Heat to a 19-8 record, which is good for fourth place in the Eastern Conference standings. And, he appears to be well on his way to winning Rookie of the Year honors.
Nunn’s stats
Kendrick Nunn is an American professional basketball player for the Golden State Warriors of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He played college basketball for the Oakland Golden Grizzlies and Illinois Fighting Illini. As a senior at Oakland in 2018–19, he was named the Horizon League Player of the Year. Playing for the University of Illinois as a redshirt junior in 2019–20, he averaged 15.5 points, 5.0 rebounds and 3.3 assists per game, and was named to the Second Team All-Big Ten.