The 2020 draft class was thrown into the fire this season as the rookies faced unprecedented challenges. The players weren’t able to get their feet wet in Summer League, underwent a shortened training camp, and played only in a handful of preseason games. Not to mention that most of the rookies were inactive and did not play competitive basketball for a large part of last year due to COVID-19 restrictions. Even the beginning of their careers was done in a surreal way with their names called virtually in the draft.
But the young guns didn’t care about all that.
Despite the various circumstances, a lot of these first-time NBA players have stunningly flourished. Plus with teams managing through health and safety protocols, giving way to a number of roster changes, the rookies have been given more time to produce. The expectations are high but the young standouts continue to be unfazed.
Here are the top rookies two months into the season:
LaMelo Ball, Charlotte Hornets (Draft pick: No. 3)
Season stats (28 games): 14.6 PPG, 43.7% FG 6.2 RPG, 6.1 APG
The passes are dazzling, the court-vision is extraordinary, and the playmaking has been a head-turner for a 19-year-old kid. LaMelo Ball isn’t transitioning into the NBA in his first year, he’s already showcasing his grown man skills.
The razzle and dazzle plays get all the views online, but there’s a fire behind the flash. He’s a reliable playmaker for the Charlotte Hornets who are looking to be competitive in the Eastern Conference.
And Ball’s brilliance isn’t limited to offense, too. He’s growing into a solid defender, racking up 1.5 steals. Furthermore, he has already squashed any doubts about his outside shooting with a 43.7 percent shooting clip, including 35.4 percent from downtown.
Ball is the early favorite for the Rookie of the Year honors.
Court Vision 👁👁@MELOD1P x @Bismackbiyombo pic.twitter.com/joWT81I01N
— Charlotte Hornets (@hornets) February 13, 2021
Anthony Edwards, Minnesota Timberwolves (Draft pick: No. 1)
Season stats (29 games): 14.6 PPG, 38.3% FG, 3.7 RPG, 2.4 APG
The Minnesota Timberwolves, who own a league-worst 7-22 record, obviously have a long way to go before they become a playoff contender. However, the franchise did one thing right this season by selecting Anthony Edwards as its top pick. His 28-point game (10 in the fourth) versus the Lakers the past week is worth a watch if you still don’t believe he’s the real deal.
Through nearly 30 games, Edwards has shown exceptional athleticism and playmaking ability. The decision-making part is still spotty as expected for a rookie, but he’ll eventually know when to take things one-on-one or when to pass. He’ll get a chance to improve his guard capabilities with D’Angelo Russell sidelined due to a knee injury.
😳😳😳😳😳😳😳😳😳😳😳😳
— Minnesota Timberwolves (@Timberwolves) February 18, 2021
BUSINESS DECISIONS BEING MADE pic.twitter.com/RpIMof4AZq
Tyrese Haliburton, Sacramento Kings (Draft pick: No. 12)
Season stats (25 games): 12.4 PPG, 49.8% FG, 3.6 RPG, 5.2 APG
Watching the Sacramento Kings is like going on a rollercoaster with all the highs and the lows. And one of the highs has been the Tyrese Haliburton experience. He’s crafty, he’s fast, and he plays like he’s never heard of a stoplight in his life. The young man just goes hard every night and he looks like he’s having a whole lot of fun playing, too.
Haliburton’s tenacity on the court sometimes clouds the fact that he’s one of the Kings’ knockdown shooters. He’s averaging 49.8 percent on the floor and has an absurd 44.3 percent marksmanship from beyond the arc. He also makes the most 3s by a rookie with 2.3 a game.
We loved what we saw from @TyHaliburton22 on V-Day 💗
— Sacramento Kings (@SacramentoKings) February 15, 2021
2??2?? / 4?? / 4?? pic.twitter.com/NKRwS0cYWZ
Immanuel Quickley, New York Knicks (Draft pick: No. 25)
Season stats (26 games): 12.4 PPG, 39.5% FG, 2.3 RPG, 2.7 APG
Immanuel Quickley is proving to be a gem picked up by the New York Knicks in the draft. He’s devious with the rock complete with all the savvy moves of a future elite ball handler. One of his favorite players growing up was Clippers guard Lou Williams and it certainly shows with how he moves on the court. He even has a signature move in the making with that floater of his.
Derrick Rose coming back to the Big Apple caused quite a few alarms in the Knicks faithful, reasoning that Quickley's playing time will be lessened. Fortunately, things have gone smooth so far with Rose fully accepting that mentorship role for the young guard.
Immanuel Quickley & Derrick Rose provide a spark off the bench in the @nyknicks W!
— NBA (@NBA) February 14, 2021
IQ: 22 PTS, 4 3PM
D.Rose: 16 PTS pic.twitter.com/f6649JE2qm
James Wiseman, Golden State Warriors (Draft pick: No. 2)
Season stats (20 games): 12.2 PPG, 50.3% FG, 6.1 RPG, 1.3 BPG
Before injuring his wrist in late January, James Wiseman was steadily climbing the rookie ladder. He was learning to use his height, quickness, and strength on both ends of the court which was simply a joy to watch. He still needs to improve in a lot of facets in his game, but that’s part of the thrill of witnessing the growth of this 19-year-old.
Wiseman can block a shot on one end, run the length of the court, and then finish a one-handed flush on the other. But right after, he might commit his fourth foul and would have to sit the rest of the first half or something. He’s a walking experiment but with the tutelage and mentorship of Draymond Green.
OH MY JAMES WISEMAN pic.twitter.com/vyiGuLu1X5
— Golden State Warriors (@warriors) January 15, 2021
Saddiq Bey, Detroit Pistons (Draft pick: No. 19)
Season stats (26 games): 9.2 PPG, 41.8% FG, 3.7 RPG, 1.0 APG
Saddiq Bey is coming off a week to remember in his rookie year. After averaging modest numbers for most of the season, Bey suddenly went berserk, earning Eastern Conference Player of the Week (February 8-14) honors. He is only the second Pistons rookie to earn the nod apart from Kelly Tripucka in 1982. Not even Pistons legends Isiah Thomas, Joe Dumars, and Grant Hill won the weekly award in their rookie year.
The Pistons went 3-1 during Bey’s incredible week when he put up 17.8 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 2.0 assists. The 6-foot-7 swingman lit the scoresheet on fire, hitting 16-of-23 from deep and 71.4 percent overall. His seven makes from rainbow country versus the Celtics is a Pistons rookie record and him going a perfect 7-for-7 made him the only rookie in league history to make seven triples without a miss.
Saddiq Bey was so hot on Friday night that we made a highlight reel dedicated for him.#Pistons Hits x @DraftKings pic.twitter.com/wapbmaLvHF
— Detroit Pistons (@DetroitPistons) February 14, 2021
Other notable rookies:
- Jae’Sean Tate, Houston Rockets
- Cole Anthony, Orlando Magic
- Desmond Bane, Memphis Grizzlies
- Patrick Williams, Chicago Bulls
- Tyrese Maxey, Philadelphia 76ers
