Photo Credit: Brandon Dill/Associated Press
Ja Morant Is The Favorite To Win Rookie Of The Year
Ja Morant is making some noise in his first season in the NBA, and many believe that the Grizzlies rookie is the Rookie of the Year front-runner. Morant is having an incredible premier season with averages of 17.6 points, 3.5 rebounds, 6.9 assists per game on 49.1% shooting and is helping the 8th seed Grizzlies solidify their playoff spot in the West.
Before the season, Zion Williams was the favorite to win rookie of the year. In a summer forecast by ESPN, Zion finished 1st, tallying 143 points to Morant’s 88 points. Being an exceptionally once-in-a-lifetime talent, we cannot deny that Zion deserved all that praise and recognition. However, an injury in the first half of the season came running down Zion’s chances. With his absence, Ja Morant got himself a head start—following it up with ROTY-worthy performances and team record to back it up.
In a story published by ESPN, a straw poll with votes from 70 voters consisting of beat writers and other national and international writers, was conducted to get a simulation of this year’s rookie of the year voting.
The ballot revealed Grizzlies’ Ja Morant coming in first, tallying 350 points, followed by Zion with 164 points, Kendrick Nunn is 3rd with 77 total points. In addition, Ja Morant received all 70 first-place voters and not even 1 first-place vote was given to Zion.
All eyes on Ja, who had some spectacular rookie performances throughout the season. The game-winning layup against the Hornets, his 27/6/14 outburst against LeBron’s Lakers, his point guard duel against Kyrie Irving and a plenty of other great performances.
ESPN’s straw poll is justified. Since day 1, Ja Morant has been sending everyone a message—he is the rookie of the year.
