5 players who are favorites to win the 2020-21 NBA Rookie of the Year award

LaMelo Ball could be the next winner of the NBA Rookie of the Year award.
LaMelo Ball could be the next winner of the NBA Rookie of the Year award.

#3 Obi Toppin

Duquesne v Dayton
Duquesne v Dayton

Obi Toppin was drafted in the eighth spot of the 2020 NBA Draft by the New York Knicks. The Dayton forward is among the favorites to win the 2020-21 NBA Rookie of the Year award.

He is a talented player who surprisingly got drafted out of the Top 5 of the 2020 NBA Draft.

Toppin is a 6' 9'' forward who can be an offensive threat on every level. He spent two years at Dayton and was named National Player of the Year in his second season.

Toppin shot 63% from the field, 39% from the three-point line and 70% from the FT line in his second season. His shooting was impressive, and it can help him score with consistency in the NBA.

The struggling New York Knicks could give him a chance to shine on offense, and he can easily win the NBA Rookie of the Year award.


#2 James Wiseman

James Wiseman. Photo Credit: AP.
James Wiseman. Photo Credit: AP.

Getting drafted by a contender can help James Wiseman enter the NBA winning lots of games already. However, there is pressure on the Golden State Warriors, and Wiseman must hit the ground running to prove his credentials as a second overall pick.

Still, being in the spotlight could work in his favor and solidify his case for NBA Rookie of the Year.

James Wiseman is a 7' 1'' center who could impose his will on both sides of the floor and take home the NBA Rookie of the Year trophy.

Big men have not been the same compared to previous decades in the NBA, but he can certainly be a good tool. In his three appearances for Memphis (before legal issues with his recruitment hindered his season), Wiseman averaged 20 points and 11 rebounds with ease.

The NBA will not come as easy for him, but he can be a big factor for the Golden State Warriors. If Wiseman finds chemistry with Steph Curry on offense and with Draymond Green on defense, it could be huge for his shot at the NBA Rookie of the Year award.


#1 LaMelo Ball

Ball could shine with the Hornets.
Ball could shine with the Hornets.

LaMelo Ball could be hit or miss in the NBA. However, a lack of talent will not be an issue for him in the highest level, and the NBA Rookie of the Year award could be his to lose.

We have seen LaMelo Ball mature in front of us, and the Michael Jordan-led Charlotte Hornets selected him with the third pick of the 2020 NBA Draft.

Ball is the main favorite to win the NBA Rookie of the Year award, according to the oddsmakers. He is a great, creative playmaker who has the gift of passing the ball with efficiency.

Although he takes ill-advised shots and his shot-selection needs work, Ball will probably have a green light on Charlotte's offense, and it will be fun to watch. Winning the NBA Rookie of the Year award would be a tremendous start to his NBA career.

He has been a professional basketball player since 2018 and played in Lithuania and in Australia. In the Australian NBL, he won Rookie of the Year honors.


Also read: NBA Trade Rumors: James Harden could be traded out soon by Houston Rockets according to league insider

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