NBA: Ranking the 5 most promising rookies from 2019-20

2. Zion Williamson, PF, New Orleans Pelicans

If Zion Williamson wasn’t hurt for the majority of the season, there’s little doubt that he would be number one on this list. But even after playing just 19 games, he fully lived up to the hype the surrounded him as the number one overall pick from the 2019 draft. Williamson was the full package when he returned from a knee injury, posting 23.6 points and 6.8 rebounds for NOLA.

He also shot an outstanding 46 percent from 3-point range and just under 60 percent from the field. Zion was bullying opponents just as he did in college, using his big body to steamroll opponents and finish aggressively at the hoop.

Defensively, he was a monster as well, swatting oppositions like nobodies business. It was just a small glimpse into how special Williamson can be for the Pelicans. The team had a totally different feel once he returned, winning over .500 of their games before the season was postponed.

The fact that he put up All-Star like numbers in his first 19 NBA games after recovering from a serious injury is very impressive. He was still trying to figure out the trials and tribulations of this league. If his short stint this past season is any indication, then Williamson is in for one decorated NBA career.