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NBA: Rookies Who Appear Destined for Stardom

By Maxwell Ogden

Feb 20, 2016; Minneapolis, MN, USA; New York Knicks forward Kristaps Porzingis (6) greets Minnesota Timberwolves center Karl-Anthony Towns (32) prior to the game at Target Center. The Knicks defeated the Timberwolves 103-95. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 20, 2016; Minneapolis, MN, USA; New York Knicks forward Kristaps Porzingis (6) greets Minnesota Timberwolves center Karl-Anthony Towns (32) prior to the game at Target Center. The Knicks defeated the Timberwolves 103-95. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mar 8, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Nuggets guard Emmanuel Mudiay (0) controls the ball against New York Knicks guard Jose Calderon (3) in the first quarter at the Pepsi Center. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 8, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Nuggets guard Emmanuel Mudiay (0) controls the ball against New York Knicks guard Jose Calderon (3) in the first quarter at the Pepsi Center. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports /

Emmanuel Mudiay, Denver Nuggets

Position: Point Guard

Age: 20

Drafted: Round 1, Pick 7

Slash Line: .360/.304/.649

Season Averages: 30.4 MPG, 12.3 PPG, 5.8 APG, 3.3 RPG, 1.0 SPG, 0.9 3PM

Emmanuel Mudiay’s first few months in the NBA were absolutely brutal. They demolished his field goal percentage, created the reputation of a player who doesn’t belong, and damaged the faith that once existed in Mudiay’s potential.

After months of struggling to adjust to the pace of the NBA, Mudiay is beginning to prove why he was viewed as a player with star potential.

That game embodies the newfound aggressiveness and efficiency of the previously tentative Mudiay.

In the eight games since March 1, Mudiay is averaging 19.4 points and 6.0 assists on a slash line of .456/.417/.696. Since his first career 20-point game on January 28, he’s averaging 14.1 points, 6.0 assists, and just 2.8 turnovers on a slash line of .405/.352/.643.

The sample size is small, but Mudiay has calmed down and begun to flourish under head coach Michael Malone. There are clearly flaws worth addressing, but his increased scoring output, improved efficiency as a jump-shooter, and responsibility in limiting turnovers is very promising.

Mudiay has begun to develop into the star-caliber point guard that many projected him to be.

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