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The 2016-17 NBA regular season was not one which saw too many rookies set the court alight. The no.1 pick, Ben Simmons missed the entire season because of an injury and the remaining bunch often flattered to deceive. Even Milwaukee guard Malcolm Brogdon, who won the Rookie of the Year award for the 16-17 season, put up pretty ordinary numbers for the year at just 10 PPG and 4 APG.
Also read: 5 Best NBA Rookies of all-time
However, this campaign has seen many of those highly touted rookies raise their game significantly in their sophomore season. While some of them have steadily progressed to become a much better player as compared to their debut season, there have been others who finally seem to have announced their arrival in the league this year.
In this list, we look at the best five, who have wowed us the most in their second season with the NBA.
#5 Taurean Prince
The 12th pick in the 2016 draft, the small forward has been one of the few bright spots for the beleaguered Hawks franchise this year. After the departure of Tim Hardaway Jr. and Thabo Sefolosha, Prince has seen much more playing time this season and he has used it to the fullest.
His production has doubled on both ends of the floor as compared to his rookie season. The Texan is fast emerging as one of the best young shooters in the East, averaging 15 PPG and shooting almost 40% from beyond the 3- Point arc.
While his defensive abilities have been questioned at times this year, there is no reason why the 24-year-old cannot improve on it in the coming season and become an even better all-around player.
#4 Domantas Sabonis
Sabonis had an ordinary first year in the NBA with the Oklahoma City Thunder. But since joining the Indiana Pacers in the offseason, the Lithuanian has been a completely different player. He has looked at ease in Indiana irrespective of whether he has started the power forward or come off the bench.
Despite seeing playing time similar to last season, the forward has put up vastly improved numbers this campaign doubling his production in terms of points and rebounds and shooting at over 50% from the field. His breakout season has seen him earn a spot in the All-Star Weekend’s Rising Star game that pits the best rookies against the best sophomores.
#3 Brandan Ingram
The no.2 pick out of Duke in the 2016 NBA draft, Brendan Ingram has had a strong second season with the Los Angeles Lakers. Despite missing over 20 games this campaign he has been the Luke Walton's best offensive weapon, leading the franchise in Field Goal Percentage from both inside and beyond the 3-Point line.
His numbers all across the stat sheet have seen a jump, most of that has come with more minutes but those additional minutes have been provided to him because the team can finally depend on him more often than not. Whether that's in the clutch or just from a playmaking standpoint.
The part which should please the Lakers the most is the degree of maturity Ingram has shown this season, which is pretty staggering considering that he is still just 20 years old.
#2 Jaylen Brown
The NBA All-Rookie second team member has seen his career sky-rocket this season. Brown was thrust into the spotlight early in the campaign after the Celtics lost their star forward Gordon Hayward in the first game of the season. He grabbed the opportunity with both hands and has been absolutely fantastic in Boston’s frontcourt this regular season.
The 21-year old has averaged an impressive 15 PPG and 5 RPG in just over 30 minutes per game. He has also been a weapon from long range, shooting nearly 40 % from 3-point territory.
But what makes Brown such a complete basketball player is his efficiency on the defensive end. He is arguably the best young defender in the league who can match up to guard 3 out of 5 positions on the court.
#1 Joel Embiid
Though he was drafted in 2015, Embiid missed the entire 2015-16 season due to injury, effectively making this season his sophomore year. His no.1 place on this list is a no-brainer since Joel Embiid has been absolutely magnificent this season.
He along with Ben Simmons have led the Philadelphia 76ers to their first postseason appearance in over five years breaking record after record in the process. The center has put up impressive individual numbers this campaign averaging over 20 PPG and 10 RPG despite playing just around 30 minutes a game. His amazing year has seen him picked as a starter in the NBA All-Star Game.
The only thing that seems to be standing in between the Center and future NBA greatness is his health. If Embiid can stay healthy, there is no reason why he and Ben Simmons cannot create a dynasty at Phili in the coming years.
