NBA: Second-Year Players Showing Signs of Progress

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Nov 18, 2014; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert (27) controls the ball during the second half against the Oklahoma City Thunder at EnergySolutions Arena. The Jazz won 98-81.Mandatory Credit: Russ Isabella-USA TODAY Sports /

Rudy Gobert, Utah Jazz

Drafted: Round 1, No. 27

Position: Forward/Center

Age: 22

2014-15 Slash Line: .592/.000/.636

2014-15 Season Averages: 20.31 PER, 16.1 MPG, 5.3 PPG, 5.2 RPG, 1.4 BPG

Through 20 games, Rudy Gobert of the Utah Jazz is averaging 13.2 points, 13.0 rebounds and 3.5 blocks per 40 minutes. In his more modest 16.2 minutes per game, Gobert is posting 5.3 points, 5.2 rebounds and 1.4 blocks.

That’s significant production given the amount of playing time he receives.

Along with shooting marks of 59.2 percent from the field and a decent 63.6 percent from the free throw line, Gobert has been a model of reliability. He’s been a force in the paint defensively, and his rebounding is beginning to complement his shot-blocking.

At 7’1″ with a 7’8.5″ wingspan, a strong case could be made that Robert has the highest ceiling of any player coming out of the 2013 NBA draft.

Clearly, height and length don’t make players elite, but that doesn’t mean his upside isn’t tremendous. The 22-year-old is only scratching the surface of developing his fundamentals, and he’s already a feared rim protector.

With youth on his side and a coach who will facilitate his development, the sky is the limit for Gobert. At the quarter-mark of 2014-15, he’s showing how close he is to breaking out.

Keep an eye on the 22-year-old Frenchman. Gobert could be a star.

Next: Playing His Role