This year’s rookie class has been one of the strongest in recent memory. There are at least 20 newbies making a significant impact, and several seem like they have future star potential. The NBA Rookie of the Year race is heating up, and little separates many of the rookies from each other.
Although the number one rookie this year has been clear-cut so far, there is going to be a serious battle for the last few spots on the All-Rookie teams that are named at the end of the year, and several people’s feelings will be hurt.
Frankly, we’ve never had so many rookies so good at defense, which has been a welcome change. And it’s rare that we’ve had so many contributing to playoff teams.
It’s been a pleasure to watch these players blossom as the season has gone on, and it’ll be fascinating to see how the ROTY race shakes out over the coming months.
NBA Rookie Ladder: 5. Ayo Dosunmo
Pts/Rebs/Asts/Stls/Blks: 8.1/2.8/3.1/0.7/0.4
FG%/3P%/FT%: 52.3%/40.7%/67.7%
Ayo Dosunmu started the season as a defensive specialist, but thanks to opportunistic play and injuries, he’s risen to become a point guard capable of facilitating a top offense.
Dosunmo’s high-energy style quickly made him a fan favorite, but his recent stretch as the starting one has really showcased his latent passing abilities.
In his last ten games (all starts), Ayo has averaged 10.6 points and a jaw-dropping 7.8 assists while hitting 38 percent from three (on minimal volume) and playing ferocious defense.
Dosunmu wasn’t known as an advanced playmaker in college, but if the passing he’s shown is real, he becomes a much more flexible offensive option who could fit in as a secondary playmaker in virtually any combination of Bulls lineups.
Plus, he’s yet another switchy, twitchy defensive menace to go with Lonzo Ball and Alex Caruso on the perimeter (when they’re back). Seriously, how does he do this?
Dosunmu has already given the Bulls far more than they expected, and he’s become a critical part of the rotation for a top-seeded team in the East. It’ll be fun to see how he fares in the playoffs.