Injuries certainly took their toll on the 2015 NBA rookie class but there have also been some pleasant surprises along the way. Everybody expected Andrew Wiggins to be a contributor from the outset but, even as the No. 1 overall pick, he has somewhat overachieved in comparison to what was expected out of him during his first year with the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Wiggins isn’t the only rookie that has turned heads with his play this season as it’s been a strong rookie class. Here’s the skinny on him and four others that have surprisingly exceeded expecations.
Nikola Mirotic – F (Chicago Bulls)
Mirotic has played overseas since he was drafted back in 2011, so a little more was expected of him than some players just stepping up to the pro ranks for the first time but he’s still surpassed what was expected of him. Mirotic has been shuffled around, including a couple of starts for Chicago this season and we saw on Sunday just how valuable he was as he scored 16 of the team’s 17 fourth quarter points against the Los Angeles Clippers. Mirotic currently ranks second among rookies in player efficiency rating and his ability to both rebound and stretch the floor with his shooting ability makes him a perfect fit for the Bulls. It’s clear they have found a player that will contribute for years to come.
KJ McDaniels – G (Houston Rockets)
Most experts were shocked when the 76ers traded one of their young stars to the Houston Rockets as few would have guessed that the league’s second-leading scorer among all active rookies would be moved. However, Philadelphia took advantage of a situation where they felt a player had already almost reached his potential ceiling and decided to move him as they continue their rebuild. McDaniels is an excellent two-way player that averaged 9.2 points per game and 3.8 rebounds and 1.3 assists for the 76ers. As a second-round pick, nobody thought he’d be doing this right away.
Langston Galloway – G (New York Knicks)
Not much has gone right for the Knicks this season, but Galloway got the promotion from the D-League in January and he has played well enough since to become a key member of the team’s rotation. Galloway has averaged 11.5 points and 4.8 assists this season and at 23-years-old he may have locked up his spot with New York for years to come. The Knicks had hoped a different rookie, second-round pick Cleanthony Early, would have emerged like Galloway has but instead, it’s been Galloway that’s shown better.
The Knicks won’t have a lot to build around after such an awful season but if they decide to spend some serious cash in the offseason there is a good chance they will love to bring back Galloway at a discount price.
Nerlens Noel – C/F (Philadelphia 76ers)
One player that the 76ers decided not to move at the deadline is Noel, who has gradually improved his scoring numbers from November to February. Noel has also stepped up his game at the defensive end of the floor where he averaged two blocks per game in January and close to three blocks per game in February. A solid two-way player that understands how to maximize his size and quickness, there is no doubt that Philadelphia wants Noel around for years to come as they continue their rebuild.
Andrew Wiggins – F (Minnesota Timberwolves)
How often does a highly touted rookie reach the NBA and fall flat on his face early on in his career? Even after all of the hype that surrounded Wiggins throughout his high school and college days, there were some that doubted Wiggins when he reached the NBA level. However, Wiggins has absolutely thrived on a relatively weak Minnesota team and his 18 20-pont games this year are more than the rest of this year’s entire rookie class combined. Wiggins has all of the tools to be a star at this level and it’s no secret that even he has exceeded the lofty expectations that were placed on him for his first NBA season.
