NBA 2017-18: 5 Most Impressive Sophomore Players
The 2016-17 NBA regular season was not one which saw too many rookies set the court alight. The no.1 pick, Ben Simmons missed the entire season because of an injury and the remaining bunch often flattered to deceive. Even Milwaukee guard Malcolm Brogdon, who won the Rookie of the Year award for the 16-17 season, put up pretty ordinary numbers for the year at just 10 PPG and 4 APG.
Also read: 5 Best NBA Rookies of all-time
However, this campaign has seen many of those highly touted rookies raise their game significantly in their sophomore season. While some of them have steadily progressed to become a much better player as compared to their debut season, there have been others who finally seem to have announced their arrival in the league this year.
In this list, we look at the best five, who have wowed us the most in their second season with the NBA.
#5 Taurean Prince
The 12th pick in the 2016 draft, the small forward has been one of the few bright spots for the beleaguered Hawks franchise this year. After the departure of Tim Hardaway Jr. and Thabo Sefolosha, Prince has seen much more playing time this season and he has used it to the fullest.
His production has doubled on both ends of the floor as compared to his rookie season. The Texan is fast emerging as one of the best young shooters in the East, averaging 15 PPG and shooting almost 40% from beyond the 3- Point arc.
While his defensive abilities have been questioned at times this year, there is no reason why the 24-year-old cannot improve on it in the coming season and become an even better all-around player.