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2017 NBA Rookie Ladder: Is Brandon Ingram A Future Star?

By Nathan Grubel

Nov 29, 2016; New Orleans, LA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward Brandon Ingram (14) defended by New Orleans Pelicans forward Anthony Brown (21) during the first quarter of a game at the Smoothie King Center. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 29, 2016; New Orleans, LA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward Brandon Ingram (14) defended by New Orleans Pelicans forward Anthony Brown (21) during the first quarter of a game at the Smoothie King Center. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 25, 2016; Memphis, TN, USA; Memphis Grizzlies guard Andrew Harrison (5) drives against Miami Heat forward Luke Babbitt (5) in the second quarter at FedExForum. Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-USA TODAY Sports /

8. Andrew Harrison, Memphis Grizzlies

Mike Conley’s status has been made official, as he’ll be out for up to two months due to injury.

This is the perfect time for one of the Memphis Grizzlies‘ rookie point guards to step up and show worth.

Andrew Harrison has gotten the call early on in the season rather than Wade Baldwin.

Before Conley went down, the two were actually able to share the floor for extended stretches. Harrison and Conley both have the ability to shoot the three, so no floor spacing has to be sacrificed in a sense.

Harrison has, however, been in a huge shooting slump. Free throws have been his saving grace (80.9 percent from the line). His 30.6 field goal percentage is putrid and he’s been even worse on long balls at 27.5 percent.

There’s nothing wrong with his mechanics and he’s knocked down a few clutch shots for the Grizzlies already. But he’s wildly inconsistent and is at his absolute best streaky.

With that being said he’s an underrated passer, rebounder and defender at the guard spot. He also doesn’t turn the ball over a ton, which is something that Memphis needs desperately.

The team still struggles to score at times so losing opportunities to turnovers isn’t something that’s needed.

If Harrison can step into a bigger role and shoot better, he can justify a continued spot in the rotation once Conley’s back. He does all the other things you’d want a rookie guard to do, so his ceiling both this year and beyond is still high enough.