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2016 NBA Rookie Ladder: Final Rookie Of The Year Ballot

By Nathan Grubel

Apr 13, 2016; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves center Karl-Anthony Towns (32) backs up to the basket against New Orleans Pelicans forward James Ennis (4) in the second half at Target Center. Mandatory Credit: Jesse Johnson-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 13, 2016; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves center Karl-Anthony Towns (32) backs up to the basket against New Orleans Pelicans forward James Ennis (4) in the second half at Target Center. Mandatory Credit: Jesse Johnson-USA TODAY Sports /
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Feb 28, 2016; Orlando, FL, USA; Philadelphia 76ers center Jahlil Okafor (8) drives to the basket as Orlando Magic center Nikola Vucevic (9) defends during the first quarter at Amway Center. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 28, 2016; Orlando, FL, USA; Philadelphia 76ers center Jahlil Okafor (8) drives to the basket as Orlando Magic center Nikola Vucevic (9) defends during the first quarter at Amway Center. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /

Honorable Mention: Jahlil Okafor, Philadelphia 76ers

Jahlil Okafor has the offensive numbers of a top candidate on my ballot, but he was fairly awful everywhere else for a center.

Yes, he scored 17.5 points per game on 50.8 percent shooting from the field (both pretty good for a rookie) but his 7.0 rebounds per game don’t tell the story on his season from that perspective as there were a few games in which he was outrebounded tremendously and was only left with five or even less.

And his defense? Okafor proved he’s not anything close to a rim protector and isn’t reliable as the linchpin of a top unit down low.

He’ll score in bunches and occasionally have big rebounding games. In essence he’s Brook Lopez 2.0 and his upside isn’t nearly as intriguing as some of the other guys I chose for my award rankings.

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