The 2019 NBA Draft Class recently took what’s become an annual tradition in the NBA: the rookie survey. The survey asks the league’s freshest faces all sorts of different questions ranging from who will have the best professional career to who their favorite current player is.
This year, some of the results were certainly surprising while others were expected, such as LeBron James being the class’ favorite player for the fourth time overall and third straight season. NBA.com’s Josh Schumann took an in-depth look at some of the survey’s results:
Who will be the 2019-20 Kia Rookie of the Year?
1. Zion Williamson, New Orleans — 35%
2. Ja Morant, Memphis — 27%
3. R.J. Barrett, New York — 5%
Cam Reddish, Atlanta — 5%
Others receiving votes: Nickeil Alexander-Walker, New Orleans; Goga Bitadze, Indiana; Brandon Clarke, Memphis; Carsen Edwards, Boston; Darius Garland, Cleveland; Kyle Guy, Sacramento; Rui Hachimura, Washington; Romeo Langford, Boston; Coby White, Chicago; Grant Williams, Boston
Which rookie will have the best career?
1. Cam Reddish, Atlanta — 19%
2. Ja Morant, Memphis — 16%
3. De’Andre Hunter, Atlanta — 11%
4. R.J. Barrett, New York — 5%
Jaxson Hayes, New Orleans — 5%
Coby White, Chicago — 5%
Zion Williamson, New Orleans — 5%
Others receiving votes: Nickeil Alexander-Walker, New Orleans; Jarrett Culver, Minnesota; Carsen Edwards, Boston; Darius Garland, Cleveland; Rui Hachimura, Washington; Keldon Johnson, San Antonio; Mfiondu Kabengele, LA Clippers; Romeo Langford, Boston; Cody Martin, Charlotte; Eric Paschall, Golden State; Tremont Waters, Boston; Dylan Windler, Cleveland
Which rookie was the biggest steal at where he was selected in the Draft?
1. Bol Bol (44), Denver — 19%
Kevin Porter Jr. (30), Cleveland — 19%
3. Carsen Edwards (33), Boston — 5%
Nassir Little (25), Portland — 5%
Isaiah Roby (45), Dallas — 5%
Coby White (7), Chicago — 5%
Grant Williams (22), Boston — 5%
Others receiving votes: Nickeil Alexander-Walker (17), New Orleans; Brandon Clarke (21), Memphis; Jaxson Hayes (8), New Orleans; Talen Horton-Tucker (46), L.A. Lakers; Keldon Johnson (29), San Antonio; Mfiondu Kabengele (27), LA Clippers; Romeo Langford (14), Boston; Jordan Poole (28), Golden State; Cam Reddish (10), Atlanta; Luka Samanic (19), San Antonio; Admiral Schofield (42), Washington; Quinndary Weatherspoon (49), San Antonio; Dylan Windler (26), Cleveland
Which rookie is the most athletic?
1. Zion Williamson, New Orleans — 87%
2. Brandon Clarke, Memphis — 8%
Others receiving votes: Jaxson Hayes, New Orleans; Kevin Porter Jr., Cleveland
Who is your favorite player in the league?
1. LeBron James, L.A. Lakers — 38%
2. Kevin Durant, Brooklyn — 20%
3. Kawhi Leonard, LA Clippers — 8%
Damian Lillard, Portland — 8%
5. Devin Booker, Phoenix — 5%
James Harden, Houston — 5%
Others receiving votes: Jamal Crawford; Kevin Garnett; Paul George, LA Clippers; C.J. McCollum, Portland; Steve Nash; Pascal Siakam, Toronto; Russell Westbrook, Houston
Additionally, the rookies were asked who the best shooter from the class is (won by Tyler Herro), best defender (Matisse Thybulle), best playmaker (Ja Morant), and what type of things they need to work on to improve their game in the NBA.
There were some expected answers from the rookies but also some extremely interesting results to other questions. It’s no surprise Zion Williamson and Ja Morant figure to lead the Rookie of the Year race, especially as the top two picks.
However, Zion isn’t expected to have the best long-term career, a title that belongs to his former Duke teammate and Hawks guard Cam Reddish. Instead, Williamson finished fifth in this department, obviously due to his lack of a creative offensive game and potential health concerns.
Still, Zion Williamson is largely expected to have the best rookie season of the entire class and rightfully so. This entire class features incredible potential, and their play will be a storyline all of next season and likely beyond.
