Who’s Gonna Win Rookie of the Year in the NBA?

We take a look at the top candidates for Rookie of the Year in the NBA and make our predictions for who’s going to take home the hardware.

Zion Williamson

Zion Williamson is a 6’6″, 284-pound forward for the New Orleans Pelicans. He was the number one overall pick in the 2019 NBA draft. Zion Williamson is a once-in-a-generation talent and is being compared to some of the greatest players to ever play the game. He is a physical specimen and has the ability to take over a game. Zion Williamson is the clear favorite to win Rookie of the Year.

Averaging 22.5 points

Zion Williamson of the New Orleans Pelicans is averaging 22.5 points, 6.9 rebounds and 2.2 assists per game while shooting 58.9 percent from the field and 34.7 percent from three-point range. Those are excellent numbers for any player, let alone a rookie, and they have him in the conversation for Rookie of the Year.

Averaging 6.3 rebounds

Zion Williamson is an American professional basketball player for the New Orleans Pelicans of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He played college basketball for the Duke Blue Devils. Williamson was widely considered one of the best players in the Class of 2018, from which he graduated as a McDonald’s All-American. Zion Williamson averaged 6.3 rebounds per game during his lone season at Duke.

Averaging 2.2 assists

Zion Williamson is averaging 2.2 assists this season for the New Orleans Pelicans.

Ja Morant

The Memphis Grizzlies point guard is having an incredible season and is the leading candidate for the award. Morant is averaging 17.6 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 7.2 assists per game. He’s shooting 49.1% from the field and 36.3% from three-point range. Morant has been a key player for the Grizzlies and has helped them stay in playoff contention.

Averaging 17.6 points

Ja Morant is an American professional basketball player for the Memphis Grizzlies of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He played college basketball for the Murray State Racers. As a sophomore in 2018–19, he was unanimously selected as the Ohio Valley Conference Player of the Year and the Associated Press College Basketball Player of the Year. Morant was also named a consensus first-team All-American. He led the nation with 10 triple-doubles, and set Murray State’s single-season scoring record with 1,058 points.

In his rookie season, Morant averaged 17.6 points, 3.5 rebounds and 7.2 assists per game, and was subsequently named to the NBA All-Rookie First Team.

Averaging 3.5 rebounds

Morant is currently averaging 3.5 rebounds per game, which is tied for second among all rookies. His 6’3″ frame and lengthy 7’0″ wingspan allow him to be a versatile rebounder, as he has the ability to box out taller opponents and use his quickness to grab boards away from his man. Morant is also a very good outlet passer, as he often starts the break with a quick outlet to one of his teammates after grabbing a defensive board.

Averaging 6.9 assists

Ja Morant is an American professional basketball player for the Memphis Grizzlies of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He played college basketball for the Murray State Racers. As a sophomore in 2018–19, he was named the Ohio Valley Conference Player of the Year and led the nation in assists per game, while also averaging 24.5 points per game. After being selected with the second overall pick in the 2019 NBA draft, Morant was named to the NBA All-Rookie Second Team.

Morant was born in Dalzell, South Carolina to Tee and Tina Morant. His father Tee played college basketball for Morris Brown College and his older brother, Ja’Quail, played college football at Tusculum University. Ja started playing organized basketball in fourth grade. When his family moved to outside of Atlanta when he was 12 years old, he began to play AAU ball with future Missouri Tigers player Michael Porter Jr..

Kendrick Nunn

Nunn has had an incredible rookie season and is one of the frontrunners for the Rookie of the Year award. Nunn is averaging 15.6 points, 3.4 assists, and 2.8 rebounds per game. He is also shooting 46.8% from the field and 38.3% from three-point range.

Averaging 16.2 points

Nunn is averaging 16.2 points per game, which is good for fifth among rookies and 10th among all players. He’s shooting 46.8% from the field and 35.5% from three-point range. He’s also averaging 3.0 rebounds and 2.5 assists in 31 minutes per game.

Averaging 3.4 rebounds

Nunn is averaging 3.4 rebounds per game this season.

Averaging 2.3 assists

Nunn is currently averaging 2.3 assists per game, which ranks him ninth among rookies. Indiana’s T.J. McConnell leads all rookies in assists per game at 7.0, while Dallas’ Luka Doncic is second at 6.6.