Mar 29, 2015; New Orleans, LA, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves forward Andrew Wiggins (22) dunks the ball against the New Orleans Pelicans during the first half of a game at the Smoothie King Center. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
4. Andrew Wiggins, Minnesota Timberwolves
6’8” 199 lbs, 20-years-old
2014-2015 Stats: 16.9 ppg, 4.6 rpg, 2.1 apg, 1.0 spg, 0.6 bpg, 44% FG, 76% FT, 31% 3PT, 13.9 PER
Andrew Wiggins is going to be a star. The highly touted player has so many tools and so many skills, it must make basketball savant’s rub their eyes. Not only is he a highly-skilled player, but this guy is a freak athletically…don’t believe me?
He did that over the defensive rim protecting, shot blocking monster that is the Stifle Tower Rudy Gobert. His rookie season was an extreme success as he ran away with the Rookie of the Year honors.
What is most exciting about his game is just how versatile he truly is. He is long and athletic with great instincts on the defensive end. Then, on offense he was far better than most anticipated. His outside jump shot struggled at time, which tends to happen to most rookies.
His endurance was also impressive (he played all 82 games) and he also averaged 36 minutes per game. On a young improving roster, Wiggins stood out as the clear talent. After Cleveland traded him for Kevin Love, many people wrote the Cavs off as clear winners in the trade. After last season, Wiggins showed that all of the hype that had been surrounding him was more than warranted. He has a revolutionary type of star talent that could land him as one of the top superstars in the NBA in a few years.
He’s versatile, and still improving, and that spells trouble for any who face off against the Timberwolves. Scary part is he averaged nearly 17 ppg and he is just an unbelievable 20-years-old. He could be something special (think Kobe or McGrady in their primes) and is a top building block in today’s NBA…no matter how young he may be.
Next: No. 3