NBA annual rookie survey offers peer insights of 2018 class
The NBA conducted their annual rookie poll with 36 members of the 2018 draft class offering their insight on seven questions.
An annual event for rookies is the NBA poll which offers the youngsters insight on seven specific areas. Questions address areas such as who’ll win Rookie of the Year, who is the most athletic, best defender, shooter and playmaker. As well as who’ll have the best career and who will be the biggest surprise.
With the trio of OKC Thunder rookies all being selected late in the second round there weren’t expectations for their names to make the list. However, Hamidou Diallo was recognized among his peers in three categories.
2018 Rookie Poll:
Here are the seven question categories the NBA asked the 2018 rookie class and 36 youngsters participated in.
Who’ll win 2019 NBA Rookie of the Year?
Topping the list were the Suns Deandre Ayton and Cavaliers Collin Sexton each garnering 18 percent of the vote.
Best NBA Career:
The rookies selected Wendell Carter Jr with 13 percent of the vote.
Biggest steal of 2018 NBA Draft:
Keita Bates-Diop was selected at 48 in the second round of the draft by the Bucks and took 13 percent of the rookie’s votes. Notably the Nuggets selection of Michael Porter Jr. (14) and Spurs pick of Lonnie Walker (18) drew 10 percent.
Hamidou Diallo (45) received honorable mention.
Most athletic:
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76ers rookie Zhaire Smith won this segment of the poll with a whopping 24 percent. The fact he was hit by the Philly rookie curse means he’ll likely miss a huge portion of the season (if not the entirety) given his foot fracture.
OKC Thunder rookie Hamidou Diallo tied two other players for second with 15 percent of the vote.
Best NBA shooter:
University of Oklahoma point guard Trae Young, Atlanta ran away with this section of the poll nabbing 47 percent of his peers votes.
Best NBA defender:
Grizzliers Jevon Carter took the top spot in rookies minds with 29 percent of the vote.
Hamidou Diallo (45) received honorable mention.
Best NBA playmaker:
Trae Young took his second category in the seven question poll with 35 percent of the vote.
Next. Thunder Trivia: uncovering 50 fun, surprising and random facts. dark
For the full poll and results visit the NBA official page here. In follow up to the poll watch for an article from TI on some key areas to watch in 2018-19 with regard to the rookie class and the OKC Thunder standout Hamidou Diallo.