Top-10 rookies and sophomores in the NBA
#4: Cole Anthony- Orlando Magic
Beleaguered Magic fans will be happy to see their guy getting some love, and even though Cole Anthony is not a household name and is on the worst team in the NBA, you can’t overlook what he is doing in his sophomore campaign.
He is one of the frontrunners for Most Improved Player, averaging 19.2 points, 6.2 rebounds and 5.8 assists for the Magic with a 26.7 usage rate while only committing 2.7 turnovers per game.
He is taking all of the clutch shots for the Magic, running their offense, leading the team in scoring and coming in just behind their centers in rebounds.
The Magic have some talent, and like the Detroit Pistons, could be a player in the Eastern Conference playoff picture as soon as next season if they make the right offseason moves around them.
#3: Evan Mobley- Cleveland Cavaliers
As much as I hate to admit it, if the season ended right now, Evan Mobley would probably be Rookie of the Year.
He is averaging 15 points, 8 rebounds and 2.7 assists while playing outstanding all-around defense for the Cavs averaging 1.7 blocks per game.
He is a big part of why the Cavaliers are currently 6th in the Eastern Conference, which represents the biggest turnaround in the NBA, as they won just 22 games last season and have already won 26 in this one through roughly half the season.
Mobley was recently named to a Top 25 Players under 25 list (on which Cade Cunningham was snubbed) and you can see why, as he is the perfect modern big man, who is as comfortable defending the perimeter as he is protecting the rim.
Team success has to matter and Mobley’s team is having it, which is why I have to begrudgingly put him ahead of Cade.