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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 /
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November 3, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder forward Domantas Sabonis (3) grabs a rebound against Golden State Warriors guard Shaun Livingston (left) during the second half at Oracle Arena. The Warriors defeated the Thunder 122-96. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
November 3, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder forward Domantas Sabonis (3) grabs a rebound against Golden State Warriors guard Shaun Livingston (left) during the second half at Oracle Arena. The Warriors defeated the Thunder 122-96. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /

2. Domantas Sabonis, Oklahoma City Thunder

There’s a new Sabonis in town and he goes by the name Domantas. Son of former Portland Trail Blazers’ big man Arvydas Sabonis, Domantas Sabonis is of similar pedigree. He brings a new dimension to the NBA game and it starts at the three-point line.

At Gonzaga, Domantas took a total of 15 three-pointers. This season, as the Thunder’s starter at the power forward position, he’s 15-for-36 on three-pointers this season.

Sabonis is averaging 7.1 points, 3.2 rebounds and 1.5 assists per game in 22.2 minutes per game for Oklahoma City. He is shooting 44.7 percent from the floor and 41.7 percent from the three-point line.

He is seventh among rookies in rebounds per game and has started all 13 games for the Thunder.

Sabonis is still getting used to the speed and physicality of the NBA game. The younger Sabonis is averaging three fouls per game. He’s earned five fouls in two games already but has yet to foul out.

As he learns to play physical OKC defense, look for the fouls to go down and the blocks to go up.