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NBA: Predicting rookie leaders for each statistical category in 2018-19

By Colin Cann

NEW YORK, NY - JUNE 21: Marvin Bagley III poses with NBA Commissioner Adam Silver after being drafted second overall by the Sacramento Kings during the 2018 NBA Draft at the Barclays Center on June 21, 2018 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY - JUNE 21: Marvin Bagley III poses with NBA Commissioner Adam Silver after being drafted second overall by the Sacramento Kings during the 2018 NBA Draft at the Barclays Center on June 21, 2018 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images) /
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LAS VEGAS, NV – MARCH 10: Deandre Ayton #13 of the Arizona Wildcats reacts after dunking against the USC Trojans during the championship game of the Pac-12 basketball tournament at T-Mobile Arena on March 10, 2018 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Wildcats won 75-61. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NV – MARCH 10: Deandre Ayton #13 of the Arizona Wildcats reacts after dunking against the USC Trojans during the championship game of the Pac-12 basketball tournament at T-Mobile Arena on March 10, 2018 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Wildcats won 75-61. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) /

Rebounds

(Honorable Mentions: Marvin Bagley III, Mo Bamba, Wendell Carter)

Deandre Ayton, Phoenix Suns 

Deandre Ayton was a monster on the glass at Arizona, averaging 11.6 boards. No other freshman came close. With a 7-foot-1, 250lb frame and 7-foot-5.5 wingspan, his rebounding ability should translate nicely to the NBA. Sharing the frontcourt with the undersized Josh Jackson will leave him plenty of opportunities to gobble up rebounds.

Alex Len will likely be on another team next season. Which leaves Tyson Chandler as the sole player who averaged more than 5.5 rebounds and he will likely only see the floor when Ayton is on the bench. Marquise Chriss and Dragan Bender will also see some in the frontcourt with the rookie. Neither has proven to be a consistent rebounder. The Suns will rely heavily on DeAndre to pick up the slack.

Marvin Bagley III will grab plenty of rebounds himself but will cede some to Willie Caulie-Stein and Kostas Koufos. Mo Bamba has physical tools to make it interesting but Orlando already has two great rebounding centers. If they prioritize youth and give Bamba big minutes this could change. For now, Ayton has a clear path to lead the way.

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