3. Jayson Tatum, Boston Celtics
Age: 20
Stats: 13.9 points, 5.0 rebounds, 43% 3PT
He may not have won the NBA’s Rookie of the Year away last season, but I have Jayson Tatum ranked as my No. 1 rookie from last season. His overall statistics from his rookie season may not be as impressive as Mitchell’s or Simmons’, but Tatum got better as the season went on and was deadly in the NBA playoffs.
During the postseason, in which he helped lead the Boston Celtics to Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Finals, Tatum averaged 19 points on 47 percent shooting from the field. He went toe-to-toe with LeBron and never backed down.
With Kyrie and Hayward returning from injury this season, it’s going to be interesting to see what type of role Tatum is given. Make no mistake, though, the ceiling is sky high for the former Duke Blue Devil.