Update on NBA rookies
InsideHoops.com | Jan. 4, 2016
Minnesota’s Karl-Anthony Towns and New York’s Kristaps Porzingis, the first and fourth picks, respectively, in the 205 NBA Draft have created buzz for their strong rookie seasons.
Several players selected lower last June are beginning to make noise, too, as their playing time has increased:
Charlotte’s Frank Kaminsky (ninth pick in 2015) had the first two 20-point games of his career in late December.
Phoenix’s Devin Booker (13th), now a starter, has scored in double figures in five of his last six games.
Oklahoma City’s Cameron Payne (14th) is averaging 9.0 points with 12 assists and two turnovers in his last four games.
Washington’s Kelly Oubre Jr. (15th) is averaging 8.4 points and 4.9 rebounds in his last 10 games.
Chicago’s Bobby Portis (22nd) has cracked the rotation, and last week he had a three-game stretch with averages of 14.7 points and 8.7 rebounds.
The Lakers’ Larry Nance Jr. (27th) has grabbed 14 rebounds in back-to-back games and is averaging 11.6 points in his last five.
Also turning heads are Philadelphia’s Richaun Holmes (37th pick) and some rookies who weren’t drafted in 2015, including Denver’s Nikola Jokic (41st pick in 2014) and San Antonio’s Boban Marjanovic (signed last July).
-- Via NBA News
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