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

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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NASHVILLE, TN – MARCH 16: Mohamed Bamba #4 of the Texas Longhorns shoots a floater against the Nevada Wolf Pack during the game in the first round of the 2018 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at Bridgestone Arena on March 16, 2018 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Frederick Breedon/Getty Images)
NASHVILLE, TN – MARCH 16: Mohamed Bamba #4 of the Texas Longhorns shoots a floater against the Nevada Wolf Pack during the game in the first round of the 2018 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at Bridgestone Arena on March 16, 2018 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Frederick Breedon/Getty Images)

Blocks

(Honorable Mentions: Jaren Jackson Jr., Deandre Ayton, Wendell Carter)

Mo Bamba, Orlando Magic 

Lanky doesn’t begin to describe Mo Bamba. With an NBA combine record 7-foot-10 wingspan and excellent timing, swatting shots will come easily for the long Orlando center. Mo averaged 3.7 blocks per game for the Longhorns, good for second in the nation.

Bamba will be fighting for playing time with Nikola Vucevic and Bismack Biyombo though. Even if his minutes are limited by his veteran teammates, he is still the front-runner to lead all rookies in blocks. That is how impressive his defensive potential is.

Jaren Jackson Jr. is another long defender with great timing and unlimited potential, but he’s still raw and needs time to develop. First overall pick DeAndre Ayton has the size and length to rack up some rejections but his defense still needs some work before he’s considered a legitimate rim protector.

Bamba could lead the league in blocks before long, for now, he’ll have to settle with leading his draft class.

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