NBA: Rookies Who Appear Destined for Stardom

9 of 9

Mar 8, 2016; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves center Karl-Anthony Towns (32) drives around San Antonio Spurs forward LaMarcus Aldridge (12) in the second quarter at Target Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports /

Karl-Anthony Towns, Minnesota Timberwolves

Position: Center

Age: 20

Drafted: Round 1, Pick 1

Slash Line: .544/.344/.817

Season Averages: 31.1 MPG, 17.7 PPG, 10.3 RPG, 2.9 ORPG, 1.7 APG, 1.7 BPG, 0.7 SPG

The No. 1 rookie was the No. 1 overall selection in the 2015 NBA Draft: Karl-Anthony Towns. He’s a nightly double-double threat who’s thriving defensively, scoring at an explosively efficient level, and flashing all of the skills that he had on paper.

Towns is also proving to be something that many great players fail to be: clutch.

Karl-Anthony Towns challenges Kevin Durant and hits the fadeaway. He's a rookie. pic.twitter.com/RJWjH4AQ6Y
— CJ Fogler account may or may not be notable (@cjzero) March 12, 2016

As his winning the 2016 NBA Skills Challenge proved, Towns has it all. He’s changing the way the center position is played.

If you crowd Towns defensively, he’ll put it on the floor, drive right by you, and finish above the rim with a ferocious finish. If you back off, he’ll hit a 3-point field goal, and if you force him to the post, he’ll make you pay with his touch and creativity.

If you drive at or on Towns, he’ll redirect your shot with his length, quickness, and instincts as a shot-blocker. If you challenge him to defend your jump shot, he’ll do so, all the while maintaining the freakish ability to recover and grab the rebound.

More hoops habit: A number of second-year players are flashing similar upside to their rookie peers

The numbers are impressive, the player is even more remarkable, and the upside is transcendent. Towns is incredible.