5. Chris Duarte, G, Indiana Pacers
The Indiana Pacers late lottery pick Chris Duarte has been one of the most pleasant surprises in this year’s rookie class. His crispness should not come as a surprise as he is one of the older rooks in the class. He is currently 24 years of age.
Regardless, he has brought a big boost to the Pacers and given All-Star Domantas Sabonis and his running mate Malcolm Brogdon some much-added help.
Duarte currently ranks sixth in points per game (13.1) among his rookie peers and third in overall points among first-year NBA players at 302. He is one of only three rookies to this point to cross the 300-point threshold so far this season.
Furthermore, Duarte is one of five Pacers averaging double-digits in scoring this season and he currently possesses a higher points-per-game average than long-time Indiana big man Myles Turner. Duarte ranks 10th in field goal percentage among rookies at 41.7 percent.