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One of the most beautiful things about NBA is that every year there is a fresh crop of young talents who are ready to step up and contribute to their teams in big ways. This NBA season is only around a month old and some of the rookies from this year's draft class are already receiving rave reviews for their performances.
Also read: The Favorites to Win NBA Rookie of The Year 2018-19
This looks like a very deep NBA draft and almost all of the top rookies are performing as per the expectations. We are seeing performances all across the board from these rookies. So let's have a look at the top three NBA rookies so far based on their individual displays and contribution to the team.
#3 Deandre Ayton, Phoenix Suns
Deandre Ayton was selected as the first overall pick in the 2018 NBA draft. Ayton is 7ft 1 inch and has displayed the athleticism that can enable him to dominate the center position for years to come.
He is putting up a very impressive stat line of 16.4 PPG and 10.4 REB with FG% of 61 after the first 16 games of the season. The opposition centers have found it hard to stop him in the paint where he is simply dominating.
One area where he needs to improve is the outside shooting. In today's era of high volume 3PT shooting, he needs to have a consistent jumper to help in more floor spacing. In some of the matches opponents have almost sagged off him and dared him to shoot jumpers. He needs to develop a good outside game to take the next plunge.
Because of his chiseled body he will always have an impact from inside the paint. If early indications are anything to go by, Deandre Ayton is going to be one hell of a dominant center.
#2 Jaren Jackson Jr., Memphis Grizzlies
Jaren Jackson Jr. was selected as the #4 pick by the Memphis Grizzlies. He was expected to be a rim protector as well as a floor spacer entering into the NBA.
Jackson Jr. is averaging 12.8 PPG and 5 Rebounds through the first sixteen games of the season but it's not his offense that's doing the talking. He has been extremely active on the defensive end and is providing ample support to Marc Gasol.
He is averaging 1.9 blocks and 1.3 steals per game and has become a vital cog for the Grizzlies team who have surprised everyone so far with an 11-5 record. He has already made some noteworthy contribution in his short NBA career so far. In one match against the Denver Nuggets, he held Nikola Jokic to only four points, registering 20 points himself to go along with seven blocks.
Jackson Jr. is capable of impacting the game on both sides and if Memphis continues to baffle expectations, Jackson Jr. will have a very compelling case for the Rookie of the Year award.
#1 Luka Doncic, Dallas Mavericks
The Dallas Mavericks selected Luka Doncic as the number three overall pick in the 2018 NBA draft after a trade with the Atlanta Hawks.
With the NBA season about a month old, Luka Doncic has become the consensus favorite for the Rookie of the Year award. Having played competitive basketball since the age of 13, Doncic has shown maturity beyond his age.
Recently he became the highest scoring rookie teenager after the first 15 games of the season surpassing Kevin Durant. He is posting averages of 19.2 PPG, 6.8 REB, 4.1 Assists after the first 16 games of the season.
The only thing that he needs to improve at this moment is taking care of the ball. He is currently averaging 3.9 turnovers per game.
The level displayed by Doncic at this young age is very impressive. He is set to take over from Dirk Nowitzki as the next franchise cornerstone.
Other mentions: Trae Young, Wendell Carter Jr., Marvin Bagley III, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.
