Top-15 Best NBA Rookies 2020 Ranked

Best NBA Rookies 2020
Photo: Sky Sports

Who is the best rookie in NBA?

With the indefinite pause of playing activities in the NBA, it doesn’t seem the right time to rate on a judgmental scale of play, the best rookies of the 2019/2020 season. However, in that light, SportyTell still takes into observance their performance in their debut season and evaluate their inputs in the league this season.

With concise insights into debutant players of the 2019/2020 season, we ranked the top-15 rookies with an impressive performance that looks promising.

Here’re the best NBA rookies for the 2019/2020 season

15. Kevin Porter Jr.

  • Team: Cleveland Cavaliers
  • Position: Shooting guard
GPTSTRBASTFG%FG3%FT%eFG%
5010.03.22.244.233.572.350.5

The last pick in the first round of the NBA draft happens to be just a lucky gamble for Cleveland. Kevin Porter Jr. has proved his worth as one of the best NBA rookies this season. With a promising scoring ability, Kevin Porter Jr. recorded 53.5 percent successful shooting than most players who were drafted ahead of him. He also looks good when it comes to finishing at the rim.

14. Eric Paschall

  • Team: Golden State Warriors
  • Position: Small forward, Power forward
GPTSTRBASTFG%FG3%FT%eFG%
6014.04.62.149.728.777.452.6

Injury blow decimated the camp of the Warriors and that left Paschall an opportune playing time to show his worth in the court. The No. 41 overall draft and forward didn’t fail to impress as he recorded 57 percent true shooting. Paschall was rated fifth among rookies due to his average 14 points per game.

13. Rui Hachimura

  • Team: Washington Wizards
  • Position: Power Forward
GPTSTRBASTFG%FG3%FT%eFG%
4113.46.01.747.827.482.950.0

Although not as great defensively, on the offence, Hachimura scoring prowess is incredible. Great touch, he possesses at the rim as well as on his mid-range jump. With the potential shown, it is likely when he pushed the boundary and becomes an efficient jumper on a three-point range, he will unlock the beast in him in his offensive play.

12. Cam Reddish

  • Team: Atlanta Hawks
  • Position: Small Forward
GPTSTRBASTFG%FG3%FT%eFG%
5810.53.71.538.433.280.245.9

The No. 10 pick in the NBA draft landed in the Atlanta Hawks. He possesses all physical features to covet in a wing. In his last 10 games, before the pandemic interruption, Reddish recorded 16.4 points and three-point range shots of 38.9 percent on average. Reddish had the highest steal rate than any of the drafted players. There’s is no denying the fact that Reddish’s potential is one to reckon with, thus, adding him to the list of the best NBA rookies to look out for this year.

11. Jaxson Hayes

  • Team: New Orleans Pelicans
  • Position: Center
GPTSTRBASTFG%FG3%FT%eFG%
567.54.00.966.025.063.066.2

The No. 8 overall draft impressed in the draft boards resulting in the Pelicans drafting him. Although having a limited amount of playing time in the court, he still displayed intriguing performance. He is a 6’11 centre and prowls the floor in a guard-like manner combined with a rare sense of coordination and touch. He recorded a 67.5 percent true shooting in his rookie season.

10. Matisse Thybulle

  • Team: Philadelphia 76ers
  • Position: Shooting Guard
GPTSTRBASTFG%FG3%FT%eFG%
574.71.51.241.035.261.051.7

He was the best defensive among rookies in the 2019/2020 season with incredible block and steal rates. He is one of nine players in history to post a block and steal rate above three percent. On the offence, he isn’t as great but looks promising as a work in progress.

9. P.J. Washington

  • Team: Charlotte Hornets
  • Position: Power Forward
GPTSTRBASTFG%FG3%FT%eFG%
5812.25.42.145.537.464.752.8

He was a good outside shooter in his college career, and that skill set saw him transition to the NBA after he happened to be the No. 12 overall pick in the NBA draft for the Hornets. He is an effective rebounder and also a good piece on the defence. Washington started all except one game for the Hornets this season.

8. Coby White

  • Team: Chicago Bulls
  • Position: Shooting Guard
GPTSTRBASTFG%FG3%FT%eFG%
6513.23.52.739.435.479.147.8

The No.7 pick in the NBA draft who is a combo guard with excellent speed and a depth shooting rangeability has shown astounding brilliance in the court this season. He recorded seven fourth-quarter three-pointers in a win over the Knicks in November. His last five games saw him average 5.1 assists and 24.1 points per game.

7. Tyler Herro

  • Team: Miami Heat
  • Position: Shooting Guard
GPTSTRBASTFG%FG3%FT%eFG%
4712.94.01.941.439.183.550.7

He was drafted by the Heat at the No.13 overall pick. He is prolific when it comes to off-ball shooting. At a 39 percent clip, Herro made 47 percent of his shots all from a three-point range. He already has established himself as an elite shooter off shot-ups. He looks promising to excel on the offence.

6. Terence Davis

  • Team: Toronto Raptors
  • Position: Shooting Guard
GPTSTRBASTFG%FG3%FT%eFG%
647.73.41.746.339.686.557.5

He was an undrafted free agent. The Toronto Raptors spotted him and gave him a deal. He lived up to expectation as he became a key backup for the franchise. This season his stat average per game of per-100 possession are 21.7 points, 9.5 rebounds and 4.7 assists.

5. Michael Porter Jr.

  • Team: Denver Nuggets
  • Position: Power Forward
GPTSTRBASTFG%FG3%FT%eFG%
487.54.10.749.542.276.757.0

The No. 14 pick of the NBA draft who plays on the offence was a promising prospect and caught the eye of Denver Nuggets. He averages 42 percent of his threes and recording 59 percent true shooting. He definitely possesses a great scoring prowess.

4. Kendrick Nunn

  • Team: Miami Heat
  • Position: Shooting Guard
GPTSTRBASTFG%FG3%FT%eFG%
6215.62.73.444.836.283.752.5

Back in 2018, he was undrafted after a domestic battery charge got him booted out but the Heat picked him up last season giving him the opportunity to display his worth on the court especially with the absence Jimmy Butler who was out due to injury. He became the heat leading scorer at 15.2 points per game, recording 54.5 percent true shooting. There is no question to his scoring ability but would definitely need improvement on his passing tactic.

3. Brandon Clarke

  • Team: Memphis Grizzles
  • Position: Power Forward
Best Rookie – Brandon Clarke
Photo: ESPN
GPTSTRBASTFG%FG3%FT%eFG%
5012.05.81.462.340.478.564.8

His fragile-looking frame seems to hinder his play but he successfully converted and allay doubts of his physique becoming one of the top sleepers in his stint at Gonzaga. He was the No. 21 pick in the NBA draft by the Memphis Grizzles. Though he was selected with the prospect of playing in defence, he put up an incredible performance in the offence scoring 67 percent true shooting which ranks No. 9 in the NBA.

2. Ja Morant

  • Team: Memphis Grizzlies
  • Position: Point Guard
Best Rookie – Ja Morant
Photo: ESPN
GPTSTRBASTFG%FG3%FT%eFG%
5917.63.56.949.136.777.052.3

The No. 2 overall pick is likely to grab the rookie of the year award. Bless with a rare swiftness, he is one explosive point guard, threatening to opposition defence. His style of play shows the insight of his excellent read of the game with a stunning ability to throw a pass from any angles and churn out from a series of breaks and runs scoring chances. He shot 36.7 percent from his threes on 2.4 attempts per game, recording himself as. a major contender of the best NBA rookie.

1. Zion Williamson

  • Team: New Orleans
  • Position: Power Forward
Best Rookie – Zion Williamson
Photo: ESPN
GPTSTRBASTFG%FG3%FT%eFG%
1923.66.82.258.946.264.559.9

The 19-year-old returns from injury after missing the first half of the NBA season to put on a dramatic performance. Zion Williamson averaged 23.5 points per game with 62.4 percent true shooting. His performance for a rookie was impressive and that led to him been rated among the top 40 players in the league in just his first 19 games. With a combination of strength and an intriguing sense of touch, he seems to accomplish clinical finishes at will. The fact he misses the first half of the season only to comeback dominating the court impressively as a 19-year-old is stunning.

Conclusion

What are your thoughts on our Best NBA Rookies 2020 ranking? Feel free to share with us in the comments section below.

Sources: Basketball Reference, NBA

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