Hoops Habit
Fansided

NBA: 5 Rookies To Watch This Season

By Jerran Anderson

Oct 18, 2016; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder forward Domantas Sabonis (3) shoots the ball in front of Denver Nuggets forward Danilo Gallinari (8) during the third quarter at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 18, 2016; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder forward Domantas Sabonis (3) shoots the ball in front of Denver Nuggets forward Danilo Gallinari (8) during the third quarter at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 6
Next
Nov 16, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Hawks guard Malcolm Delaney (5) has his pass blocked by Milwaukee Bucks forward Jabari Parker (12) during the second half at Philips Arena. The Hawks defeated the Bucks 107-100. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 16, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Hawks guard Malcolm Delaney (5) has his pass blocked by Milwaukee Bucks forward Jabari Parker (12) during the second half at Philips Arena. The Hawks defeated the Bucks 107-100. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports /

5. Malcolm Delaney, Atlanta Hawks

Malcolm Delaney signed an offseason free agent deal to begin his rookie season with the Atlanta Hawks at the age of 27. He’s played the past two seasons for Lokomotiv Kuban.

In 31 games, Delaney averaged 16.3 points, 5.5 assists, and 3.4 rebounds. He earned Top 16 Round 1 MVP and Round 2 MVP, 2015-16 Euroleague October MVP, and was named to the 2015-16 All-Euroleague First Team.

Delaney currently leads all rookies in total assists as well as assists per game. He has recorded an assist in every game he’s appeared in so far this season. He is playing 16.8 minutes per game off the bench for the Hawks.

Related Story: Get To Know Malcolm Delaney

The point guard out of Virginia Tech is averaging 5.5 points, 2.0 rebounds and 4.0 assists per game for the Hawks. Delaney has taken on a reserve role after the Hawks traded away point guard Jeff Teague and promoted Dennis Schroder this offseason.

Delaney scored four points and dished out five assists with a rebound and a steal in his NBA debut for the Hawks. His shooting is still a work in progress as he’s shooting 36.8 percent from the field and 27.8 percent from three.