Hoops Habit
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2015-16 HoopsHabit NBA Awards

By Maxwell Ogden

Apr 10, 2016; San Antonio, TX, USA; Golden State Warriors point guard Stephen Curry (30) is defended by San Antonio Spurs point guard Tony Parker (9) and small forward Kawhi Leonard (2) during the second half at AT&T Center. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 10, 2016; San Antonio, TX, USA; Golden State Warriors point guard Stephen Curry (30) is defended by San Antonio Spurs point guard Tony Parker (9) and small forward Kawhi Leonard (2) during the second half at AT&T Center. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports /
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Apr 3, 2016; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves center Karl-Anthony Towns (32) looks to pass in the third quarter against the Dallas Mavericks at Target Center. The Dallas Mavericks beat the Minnesota Timberwolves 88-78. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 3, 2016; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves center Karl-Anthony Towns (32) looks to pass in the third quarter against the Dallas Mavericks at Target Center. The Dallas Mavericks beat the Minnesota Timberwolves 88-78. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports /

Rookie of the Year: Karl-Anthony Towns, Minnesota Timberwolves

Votes: 100%

Position: Center

Slash Line: .542/.341/.811

Season Averages: 32.0 MPG, 18.3 PPG, 10.5 RPG, 2.8 ORPG, 2.0 APG, 1.7 BPG, 0.7 SPG

The Rookie of the Year award was thought to be a two-man race between Karl-Anthony Towns and Kristaps Porzingis. Porzingis put together a historically significant season, but Towns pulled away and gained tremendous separation.

In one of just two unanimous vote counts, Towns won HoopsHabit’s Rookie of the Year award.

Towns is the first rookie to average at least 10.0 points and 10.0 rebounds since Blake Griffin in 2010-11. Before Griffin, it hadn’t been done by any player since Dwight Howard and Emeka Okafor in 2004-05, Elton Brand in 1999-2000, and Tim Duncan in 1997-98.

Not only is that extraordinary company, but it’s a sign of just how quickly Towns has adjusted to playing in the NBA.

For what it’s worth, Towns is the youngest player to average at least 18.0 points and 10.0 assists since Anthony Davis in 2013-14. Before that recent season, the last two players to achieve the feat were Brand in 1999-2000, and Shaquille O’Neal in 1992-93.

Towns may or may not go on to become an NBA superstar, but his rookie season has placed him on the right path.

Others Receiving Votes: N/A

Next: Sixth Man of the Year