NBA 2019-20: Rookie of the Year Power Rankings Week 3
We are now into the third week of the 2019-20 NBA season, and basketball fans around the league have had enough time to develop their initial impressions on the latest crop of exciting rookies. While no individual has yet to make a similar impact to last season's winner, Luka Doncic, plenty of rookies have caught the eye.
Additionally, with Zion Williamson out for the foreseeable future, this season's Rookie of the Year battle is shaping up to be among the most competitive in recent memory. So, after watching the latest rookies during the opening two weeks in the NBA, here we will take a look at how they stack up heading into Week 3.
#5 Rui Hachimura - Washington Wizards
Rui Hachimura showed glimpses of his talent while representing Japan at the 2019 FIBA World Cup, and the 21-year-old has been able to take advantage of the Washington Wizards' ongoing injury problems to make an immediate impact in the NBA.
While the Wizards have only won two of their first six games, Hachimura has already established himself as Washington's second-best option behind Bradley Beal. The ninth overall pick is currently averaging 14.7 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 1.3 assists per game, and he made plenty of waves last week when he dropped 23 points on the Rockets while shooting 9-15 from the field.
Admittedly, Hachimura endured his first bad game in the NBA just days later as he managed just four points against the Timberwolves, although the 21-year-old will be given ample responsibility on a young Wizards roster, and he could be a dark horse for the Rookie of the Year award.