3 Best Sophomores in the NBA 2016-17 Season: Minnesota Timberwolves' Karl Anthony Towns Lead List of Players
Three special NBA rookies showcased their talents last season in a way that convinced basketball fans, analysts and professional basketball players that they are going to be the future stars of the league. Entering as sophomores, these 3 NBA talents are ready to put in more minutes with experience under their belts, taking on bigger roles and a chance to pile up on their achievements.
1. Karl-Anthony Towns
Number one overall draft pick Karl-Anthony Towns is an obvious choice in this list. He didn't win unanimous rookie of the year last season for nothing. Basically, he was the most productive rookie in his batch. Among 2015 rookies, Towns was number one in points per game, rebounds per game, and placed second in blocks per game.
Get Our Latest News for FREE
Towns averaged 18.3 points, 10.5 rebounds and 2.0 assists for the Timberwolves.
"NBA 2K17" even recognized Karl-Anthony Town's achievements as a rookie, imminent future NBA star, and keystone of the Minnesota Timberwolves by releasing his screenshot here.
Towns is the 4th NBA player whose face is revealed in the highly anticipated basketball video game. The first three reveals were for Paul George, Kyrie Irving and Jimmy Butler.
2. Kristaps Porzingis
Kristaps Porzingis had a breakout rookie year, proving the New York Knicks fans wrong. He was booed on draft night and sports analysts criticized Phil Jackson's move, but Porzingis managed to make his doubters admit they are wrong.
Indeed, Porzingis became the second best player in the Knicks, next to Carmelo Anthony. The earlier stages of the season was special for Porzingis, who showcased his long-range shooting, post moves, put back dunks, and point guard skills despite being 7'3".
During the latter part of Porzingis' rookie season, teams took notice and upped their defense against the Latvian talent. He didn't adjust too well and had a poorer performance, including making more rookie mistakes like turnovers and biting off fakes, but that is to be expected from a 20-year old.
Porzingis will have more minutes next season and thus become more productive stats-wise. He is also currently busy improving his game in the off-season.
Porzingis averaged 14.3 points, 7.3 rebounds, 1.3 assists and 1.9 blocks per game.
3. Devin Booker
2016 NBA Finals MVP LeBron James called Devin Booker a future all-star. He said, "if it's someone who is under the radar right now that I believe is going to be a really, really, really good, all-star player in the league –it's Devin Booker from the Phoenix Suns."
Devin Booker shone when a couple of injuries in the Phoenix roster caused him to start. With this opportunity, the 6'6" shooting showcased his sweet jump shot. He even made it to the All-Rookie First Team. Not bad for the youngest player last season and a 13th overall draft pick.
Booker averaged 13.8 points, 2.5 rebounds and 2.6 assists per game in his rookie season, including shooting 34.3 percent from the arc.
