NBA Rookie of the Year Candidates

If it wasn’t for Zion’s historical output, Ja would undeniably be ROTY this season. He has single-handedly led the Memphis Grizzlies into playoff contention (8th in the West) and is the team leader in PPG and APG.

Ja Morant leads Memphis in scoring (17.6 PPG) and assists (6.9 APG) and has been very efficient from the field for a rookie guard (49.1 FG%/36.7 3P%). Ja Morant constantly amazes fans with his electrifying performances and athletic acrobatics, all while winning in Memphis, which is why he’s winning this ROTY race.

As the rookie with the most hype since LeBron James back in 2003, Zion Williamson has put on quite a show in the 19 games he’s played since returning from injury earlier this season. He’s set all kinds of records since setting the league ablaze with his debut. He’s doing all this while somehow only missing 41% of his shots.

Zion is a freak of nature like LeBron and Shaq, and has ridiculous athleticism for someone who’s 6’6 and 285 pounds. The New Orleans Pelicans are currently 10th in the West, trailing Portland and Memphis for that 8th seed by 3.5 game. If the regular season continues and Zion’s team manages to secure that spot, his case for ROTY will be considerably stronger.

If Kendrick Nunn wins ROTY, he will be the first recipient of the award to go undrafted. The 24-year-old is averaging 15 points, three assists, and three rebounds per game.

Nunn has started in all 62 games he’s played and has helped the Miami Heat reach the fourth spot in the East. His NBA debut of 24 points is the highest in franchise history and he’s the first undrafted player in NBA history to win multiple Rookie of the Month awards.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uI9K45uNWXE

The former Tar Heel was playing his best Basketball before the NBA’s hiatus, averaging 26.1 PPG on 48% FG over his last nine games. White is the first player born in the 2000s to play in the NBA and if he wins, he will be the first ROTY born in the 2000s as well.

Drafted seventh overall, White has been excellent thus far, giving Chicago the scoring punch they need off the bench. His ability to shoot and handle the ball has allowed him to get significant playing time, averaging 25 minutes per game, which will only increase if the season continues.

The third overall pick in the 2019 draft has had a great season, despite his team playing the worst basketball seen in years (sorry New York). Barrett is second on the team in scoring with 14.3 PPG while putting up solid rebounding numbers and defense (1.0 SPG).

RJ Barrett had a lot of hype coming into the league because he entered the NBA with his former Duke teammate, Zion Williamson. Barrett hasn’t necessarily under-performed but hasn’t been overly impressive either, therefore earning a spot on these rankings, but the fifth spot nonetheless.

If it wasn’t for Zion’s historical output, Ja would undeniably be ROTY this season. He has single-handedly led the Memphis Grizzlies into playoff contention (8th in the West) and is the team leader in PPG and APG.

Ja Morant leads Memphis in scoring (17.6 PPG) and assists (6.9 APG) and has been very efficient from the field for a rookie guard (49.1 FG%/36.7 3P%). Ja Morant constantly amazes fans with his electrifying performances and athletic acrobatics, all while winning in Memphis, which is why he’s winning this ROTY race.

As the rookie with the most hype since LeBron James back in 2003, Zion Williamson has put on quite a show in the 19 games he’s played since returning from injury earlier this season. He’s set all kinds of records since setting the league ablaze with his debut. He’s doing all this while somehow only missing 41% of his shots.

Zion is a freak of nature like LeBron and Shaq, and has ridiculous athleticism for someone who’s 6’6 and 285 pounds. The New Orleans Pelicans are currently 10th in the West, trailing Portland and Memphis for that 8th seed by 3.5 game. If the regular season continues and Zion’s team manages to secure that spot, his case for ROTY will be considerably stronger.

If Kendrick Nunn wins ROTY, he will be the first recipient of the award to go undrafted. The 24-year-old is averaging 15 points, three assists, and three rebounds per game.

Nunn has started in all 62 games he’s played and has helped the Miami Heat reach the fourth spot in the East. His NBA debut of 24 points is the highest in franchise history and he’s the first undrafted player in NBA history to win multiple Rookie of the Month awards.

The former Tar Heel was playing his best Basketball before the NBA’s hiatus, averaging 26.1 PPG on 48% FG over his last nine games. White is the first player born in the 2000s to play in the NBA and if he wins, he will be the first ROTY born in the 2000s as well.

Drafted seventh overall, White has been excellent thus far, giving Chicago the scoring punch they need off the bench. His ability to shoot and handle the ball has allowed him to get significant playing time, averaging 25 minutes per game, which will only increase if the season continues.

The third overall pick in the 2019 draft has had a great season, despite his team playing the worst basketball seen in years (sorry New York). Barrett is second on the team in scoring with 14.3 PPG while putting up solid rebounding numbers and defense (1.0 SPG).

RJ Barrett had a lot of hype coming into the league because he entered the NBA with his former Duke teammate, Zion Williamson. Barrett hasn’t necessarily under-performed but hasn’t been overly impressive either, therefore earning a spot on these rankings, but the fifth spot nonetheless.