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The top five picks of the 2018 NBA Draft were named to the All-Rookie First Team for the first time since 1985. Deandre Ayton, Marvin Bagley III, Luka Doncic, Jaren Jackson Jr., and Trae Young all enjoyed excellent debut seasons and fully warranted inclusion in the All-Rookie First Team, and many experts believed that the five young stars would be among the best sophomores during the 2019-20 season.
Nevertheless, Ayton has missed the start of the new season following suspension, while Marvin Bagley III has featured just once - opening the door for several other second-year players to steal the headlines. So, with almost a month of the new season behind us, here are the top five sophomores in the league right now.
#5 Collin Sexton - Cleveland Cavaliers
Collin Sexton was perhaps the individual most unfortunate to miss out on the NBA All-Rookie First Team last season, although the 20-year-old has been able to carry his debut season form into the new campaign. Through nine appearances, Sexton is averaging 18.7 points, 3.1 rebounds, and 2.3 assists per game and the guard is shooting close to 40 percent from the three-point line for the second straight year.
Sexton has scored at least 10 points in every game that he has played in this season, and he enjoyed his best performance of the season on Sunday as he dropped a career-high 31 points on the struggling New York Knicks. While Sexton continues to get little attention due to the lack of eyes watching the Cavs, the Georgia native is well on his way to establishing himself as one of the NBA's best young point guards.
#4 Devonte' Graham - Charlotte Hornets
After spending four years at the University of Kansas, Devonte' Graham was taken as an early second-round pick in the 2018 NBA draft. However, due to the excellent form of Kemba Walker, Graham managed just 14.7 minutes over 46 appearances during his rookie season, averaging 4.7 points and 2.6 assists.
Nevertheless, Graham has taken full advantage of Walker's departure and is averaging 18.0 points and 7.3 assists in 31.6 minutes per game. The 24-year-old has outshone Walker's expensive replacement in Terry Rozier, and if he can keep up his stunning start to the season, Graham could eventually replace the former Celtics man in the Hornets' starting lineup.
#3 Shai Gilgeous-Alexander - Oklahoma City Thunder
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander enjoyed an excellent rookie year with the Los Angeles Clippers, and the organization was well aware of what a talent they had on their hands following his breakout performances against the Golden State Warriors in the 2019 playoffs. However, the Clippers had no chance but to include Gilgeous-Alexander in the blockbuster trade for Paul George, and the 21-year-old has continued to shine in Oklahoma City.
The Thunder have wasted no time in giving Gilgeous-Alexander the keys to the franchise following Russell Westbrook's departure, and the guard is currently averaging an impressive 20.1 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 3.1 assists per game. His three-point shooting has also increased to 41 percent, and his influence has been promising enough to suggest that Sam Presti may have made the right decision to trade Paul George. Ultimately, if Gilgeous-Alexander continues on his current track, he looks destined for stardom, although the Thunder needs to put the right tools around him.
#2 Trae Young - Atlanta Hawks
Trae Young finished his rookie season averaging 19.1 points, 3.7 rebounds, and 8.1 assists per game. The 21-year-old's debut season was considered a significant success following doubts that he would struggle to adapt to the NBA, and Young has further demonstrated his future superstar status during the first month of the season.
Through nine appearances, Young is averaging 28.0 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 8.7 assists per game, and earlier this week, he became the youngest player in NBA history to post at least 30 points and 10 assists in three consecutive games. Young's three-point shooting has also jumped from 32.4% to 40.2%, and it is only a matter of time before the Atlanta Hawks star is named as an All-Star.
#1 Luka Doncic - Dallas Mavericks
While there is plenty of young talent around the NBA, Luka Doncic appears to be in a class of his own. After winning the 2019 NBA Rookie of the Year Award, Donic worked hard during the offseason, and the Slovenian's performances have been so influential that he is currently firmly in the MVP discussion.
Through 10 appearances, Doncic is averaging 28.3 points, 10.3 rebounds, and 9.1 assists per game and the 20-year-old has already managed four triple-doubles. Doncic could become just the third man in NBA history to average a triple-double for a season, and his leadership has also been excellent - guiding the Mavs to a 6-4 record despite a tough schedule. Ultimately, it is scary to think that Doncic is just in his second year, and it is only a matter of time before he is in the discussion for the NBA's best player.
