2016-17 NBA Awards Season: Top 10 Rookie Of The Year Candidates

Mar 6, 2017; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Milwaukee Bucks guard Malcolm Brogdon (13) passes off past Philadelphia 76ers forward Richaun Holmes (22) and forward Dario Saric (9) during the second half at Wells Fargo Center. The Milwaukee Bucks won 112-98. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /

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Mar 3, 2017; Orlando, FL, USA; Miami Heat guard Rodney McGruder (17) drives to the basket against the Orlando Magic during the first quarter at Amway Center. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /

9. Rodney McGruder

Rodney McGruder doesn’t have the numbers to seriously contend for this award, and there’s a fair chance the Miami Heat miss the playoffs. That being said, this undrafted rookie deserves his five seconds in the sun for being an unexpected contributor to Miami’s drastic midseason turnaround.

Though he’s only averaging 6.4 points, 3.3 rebounds and 1.6 assists per game, he’s been a consistent part of Erik Spoelstra’s rotation, playing in 77 of the team’s 81 games so far this season and averaging 25.3 minutes per game.

Spo on @RodneyMcGruder : "How do we want to play? What's our habits? What's our identity? That guy. That's what it is."
— Manny Navarro (@Manny_Navarro) March 8, 2017

As Heat fans can probably testify, McGruder has had more of an impact than the raw numbers suggest, especially on the defensive end where he’s becoming something of a designated stopper.

He won’t earn many ROY votes, but he should at least make the All-Rookie Second Team (which is still a thing, for whatever reason).