NBA: Bold award predictions for the 2018-19 season

Rookie of the Year: Collin Sexton

The Cleveland Cavaliers are beginning a LeBron-less era for the second time. Point guard Collin Sexton is being thrown right into the fire as the new face of the franchise. The 6-foot-2 lottery pick from Alabama has a knack for getting to the basket, and isn’t afraid to put up a ton of shots.

Unlike fellow rookies Deandre Ayton in Phoenix and Mo Bamba in Orlando, the Cavs’ offense will run directly through Sexton as the first option. He’ll benefit from the pick-and-roll with Kevin Love, and J.R. Smith will be on the wing to knock down shots.

Sexton might be the perfect prospect to start the new era for the Cavaliers. He won’t shy away from the spotlight and is a tenacious all-around player that will only get better.