Several NBA rookies are making waves this season, exceeding expectations and showcasing their potential to become stars in the league. While some names may not be as well-known, these talented youngsters deserve recognition for their impressive performances.
Let's take a closer look at three underrated rookies who are performing better than expected: Derik Queen of the New Orleans Pelicans, Ryan Kalkbrenner of the Charlotte Hornets, and Will Richard of the Golden State Warriors.
Derik Queen is often overlooked due to the high expectations surrounding his trade to the Pelicans. However, it's been a pleasant surprise to see him excel on the court. The 6'10" center is a gifted scorer with 12.3 points per game, while also solidifying his presence on the glass with 6.3 rebounds. But what sets Queen apart is his exceptional passing ability, which has earned him a reputation as a delightfully effective playmaker, particularly in the high post.
Queen's 3.6 assists per game are a strong indication of things to come, and his defensive prowess has been somewhat unexpected. While he still faces the challenge of improving his three-point shot, the Pelicans have a promising young center on their hands.
Ryan Kalkbrenner, meanwhile, is leveraging his unique size and agility to become an invaluable asset for the Charlotte Hornets. The 7'1" center has started all 16 games this season, shooting an impressive 80.2% from the field, with 31 of those shots being dunks. His comfort zone lies within 10 feet of the basket, making him a nightmare for opposing big men.
The value of Kalkbrenner's game cannot be overstated, particularly in terms of his ability to make life easier for Hornets guards. With this kind of production, he would seamlessly fill the need for a new center, and the franchise is likely to reap the benefits.
Last but not least, there's Will Richard, the 23-year-old guard who has stolen the spotlight with his impressive debut season. While he may not be the next Steph Curry, Richard has shown himself to be an enormously efficient scorer, with a smooth and determined game that looks like it's finally starting to come together.
The main question surrounding Richard is whether he can handle point guard minutes, but so far, he seems to thrive as a combo guard. His sturdy 210-pound frame also hints at the possibility of him developing into someone who can press the rim and get to the foul line.
With all three players showcasing their talent and potential, it's clear that these underrated rookies are not to be overlooked in this season's NBA landscape.
Let's take a closer look at three underrated rookies who are performing better than expected: Derik Queen of the New Orleans Pelicans, Ryan Kalkbrenner of the Charlotte Hornets, and Will Richard of the Golden State Warriors.
Derik Queen is often overlooked due to the high expectations surrounding his trade to the Pelicans. However, it's been a pleasant surprise to see him excel on the court. The 6'10" center is a gifted scorer with 12.3 points per game, while also solidifying his presence on the glass with 6.3 rebounds. But what sets Queen apart is his exceptional passing ability, which has earned him a reputation as a delightfully effective playmaker, particularly in the high post.
Queen's 3.6 assists per game are a strong indication of things to come, and his defensive prowess has been somewhat unexpected. While he still faces the challenge of improving his three-point shot, the Pelicans have a promising young center on their hands.
Ryan Kalkbrenner, meanwhile, is leveraging his unique size and agility to become an invaluable asset for the Charlotte Hornets. The 7'1" center has started all 16 games this season, shooting an impressive 80.2% from the field, with 31 of those shots being dunks. His comfort zone lies within 10 feet of the basket, making him a nightmare for opposing big men.
The value of Kalkbrenner's game cannot be overstated, particularly in terms of his ability to make life easier for Hornets guards. With this kind of production, he would seamlessly fill the need for a new center, and the franchise is likely to reap the benefits.
Last but not least, there's Will Richard, the 23-year-old guard who has stolen the spotlight with his impressive debut season. While he may not be the next Steph Curry, Richard has shown himself to be an enormously efficient scorer, with a smooth and determined game that looks like it's finally starting to come together.
The main question surrounding Richard is whether he can handle point guard minutes, but so far, he seems to thrive as a combo guard. His sturdy 210-pound frame also hints at the possibility of him developing into someone who can press the rim and get to the foul line.
With all three players showcasing their talent and potential, it's clear that these underrated rookies are not to be overlooked in this season's NBA landscape.
I think what's fascinating about these underrated rookies is how they're forcing teams to rethink their approaches to roster construction and positional flexibility. Derik Queen's playmaking ability, for instance, makes him a nightmare for opposing big men – it's like he's defying the conventional wisdom of traditional centers who can only score close to the rim. On the other hand, Ryan Kalkbrenner's unique size and agility allow him to dominate in the paint while also making life easier for his guards. And Will Richard's ability to seamlessly transition between scoring and playmaking is a testament to his incredible athleticism and work ethic 
. His 3.6 assists per game is insane for a center, and he's actually solid on D too 
. I mean, don't get me wrong, Ryan Kalkbrenner is beast mode at the rim, but his overall skillset is kinda one-dimensional 
. And as for Will Richard, yeah, he's got some serious skills, but he still needs to develop that point guard thing 
. The Pelicans and Hornets would kill to have more talent like this on their rosters! 
They're basically stealing it from other teams without even realizing it 
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. We need more of that kind of game-changer in this league! 
! Derik Queen is straight fire, his passing skills are so underrated, I mean who else can do that? 6'10" and he's popping 12 points a game, not bad for a center lol. Ryan Kalkbrenner is just pure dominance, that guy's got game. And Will Richard's been on a roll, combo guard vibes all the way. People forget to mention these guys in favor of the superstars, but they're the ones building the foundation for future success 
. will richard's efficiency is straight fire 
.
They're on par with some of the top centers in the league. 
80.2% from the field is insane, and those dunks are just ridiculous. I'm not surprised he's starting all 16 games for the Hornets. He's a force to be reckoned with.
Efficient scorer, combo guard, pressuring the rim... he's got it all. His 210-pound frame looks good too. I think we're gonna see big things from this young man in his next few games.
It's crazy! And 7.2 rebounds per game is on pace for a rookie record. These guys are killing it this season!
. I mean, 12.3 points and 6.3 rebounds already? That's some next-level stuff! And his passing skills are straight fire 
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. NBA fans deserve some exciting basketball right about now 
, and I'm still trying to decide which island was my fave... I mean, have you ever tried pineapple pizza? I know it sounds weird, but trust me, it's a game changer 
like queen is straight fire with them assists he's literally the playmaker of the pelicans what a surprise defensivly? 
i'm loving it, and kalkbrenner 80% from the field is insane dunks are so underrated rn. richard tho seems legit, combo guard vibes are back in