NBA: Ranking the 3 most impressive rookies thus far in 2019-20

Ranking the three most impressive rookies thus far into the 2019-20 NBA season

Zion Williamson has been the most hyped rookie in years, possibly since Anthony Davis or LeBron James. But with Zion out after having right knee surgery on October 21st, the Rookie of the Year race has become much more competitive. The possibility of Zion returning and winning the award is very real, but for now, let’s look at the first-year players that have been the most impressive.

First, some honorable mentions.

Missed the Cut: Eric Paschall, GSW; Brandon Clarke, MEM; Rui Hachimura, WAS

Honorable Mention: Tyler Herro, Miami Heat

Tyler Herro first came into the limelight during the summer league. Herro has had a solid start to the season, averaging 13.3 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 2.1 assists in 28.9 minutes per game.

Herro took Dion Waiters‘ job at the 2-guard position, even before Waiters’ most recent suspension. The Miami Heat are currently 9-3 and second in the Eastern Conference, that success helps Herro’s ROTY (Rookie of the Year) case.

Unfortunately for Herro, his own rookie teammate is garnering more attention.

Honorable Mention: PJ Washington, Charlotte Hornets

PJ Washington was drafted 12th overall by the Hornets and has been a pleasant surprise for Charlotte. Washington is 3rd in rebounds per game among the rookie class, and second in 3-point percentage. Stretch big men in the NBA are highly coveted, and Washington has been a large part of why the Hornets have overachieved so far this season at 6-8.

Although Washington has been a top rookie performer, the production and attention probably won’t be enough for him to take home the ROTY hardware.

Honorable Mention: Coby White, Chicago Bulls

While the Chicago Bulls are struggling early on to find cohesion and make the leap to a playoff team, one bright spot has been the play of Coby White. White had a signature performance to beat the Knicks on November 12th, which included seven 3’s in the 4th quarter, a Bulls record. While Coby White has had some of the most exciting plays for a rookie this season, shooting just 30.1 percent from behind the arc, on the most attempts by any rookie does not help Coby’s bid. Until White becomes more efficient, don’t expect him to be a true ROTY contender.

3. Kendrick Nunn, Miami Heat

Kendrick Nunn is arguably the most surprising rookie of the 2019-20 season. The undrafted 24-year-old has made a massive impact for his team, he is second among all rookies in scoring (17.8 ppg), leading in steals (19) and 4th in assists (3.2 APG). Multiple 20 point games and one especially dominant performance has led to the question as to why he was never drafted in the first place. Unfortunately, the answer is ugly, and though it is clear that Nunn is extremely talented, his past may continue to haunt him. Nunn is on pace for a strong rookie campaign, and if he continues, he is a legitimate contender for ROTY.

2. RJ Barrett, New York Knicks

RJ Barrett, for the majority of his time in basketball, has largely been outshined by his former Duke teammate, Zion Williamson. Drafted 3rd overall by the Knicks, Barrett has played the 7th most minutes of any player in the NBA this season, thanks to coach David Fizdale’s old school attitude on load management. At 15.8 points per game, Barrett is 3rd in scoring among the rookies, and 2nd in rebounding and assists, 5.8 and 3.8 per game respectively. Barrett has a decent shot at the award, but the Knicks dismal performance this year (3-10) could keep Barrett from separating himself as the Rookie of the Year from his peers.

1. Ja Morant, Memphis Grizzlies

Ja Morant is proving why he was selected 2nd overall in the 2019 draft. Leading the rookie class in points and assists, while keeping a Grizzlies team, with little to no expectations, competitive. Morant has hit a game winner against the Hornets and had an incredible performance in an overtime win against the Nets.

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In that win: he scored his career-high 30 points, had 9 assists (including the assist to Jae Crowder that won the game), the game-tying layup that sent the game into overtime and a huge block on Kyrie Irving‘s game-winning attempt. Although not head and shoulders ahead of the other rookies, and still within reach of a strong Zion season, Morant is leading the race.

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