NBA Power Rankings: The Top 9 Rookies In Preseason Thus Far

Jul 14, 2015; Las Vegas, NV, USA; New York Knicks forward Kristaps Porzingis (46) wins the opening tip off of an NBA Summer League game over Philadelphia 76ers center Jahlil Okafor (8) at Thomas & Mack Center. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports

7. Kristaps Porzingis, New York Knicks

Preseason Stats: 8.0 points, 6.0 rebounds; 60% 3-pt

Whether you’re willing to believe it or not, after all the boos on draft night, Kristaps Porzingis has actually impressed during preseason. He’s not exactly lighting up the scoreboard or stuffing the stat sheet, but in the limited time he’s been given he’s looked better than many believed he would be.

And that’s not saying many thought he would be a bust, but that he would need a year or two to find himself as an NBA player. However, after posting a solid eight points and six rebounds in 20 minutes per game in the two preseason games he’s played in, it appears that Porzingis could find himself in a nice role this season for the Knicks.

Porzingis may not reach the hype that built him up leading up to the NBA draft this season, but he’s perfectly in place to lay the solid foundation of nice rookie season.

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