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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Apr 8, 2017; Charlotte, NC, USA; Boston Celtics forward Jaylen Brown (7) celebrates a three point shot in the first half against the Charlotte Hornets at Spectrum Center. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports /

8. Jaylen Brown

Jaylen Brown is going to be good. The Rookie of the Year Award isn’t based on potential, but we’ve seen enough flashes from Brown in his rookie season with the Boston Celtics to know he’s going to be a tremendous 3-and-D wing in this league one day.

Though he’s only averaging 6.6 points and 2.8 rebounds per game, he’s also only playing 17.1 minutes a night. He’s shot an efficient 45.3 percent from the field, a respectable 34.6 percent from long range (especially for a 20-year-old rookie) and he has the makings of an elite defender and freak athlete.

Is this Jaylen Brown (@FCHWPO) dunk the #Celtics Play of the Year?

-> VOTE right now : https://t.co/VwoImWRcUo pic.twitter.com/39mfssT19X
— NBC Sports Boston (@NBCSBoston) April 11, 2017

That’s hardly enough to seriously put him in the running for the Rookie of the Year Award, but he’s stepped up to become a regular in Brad Stevens’ rotation — no small feat for a team competing for the No. 1 seed in the East.

Since the All-Star break, Brown has stepped up his numbers to 8.5 points and 3.3 rebounds per game on .494/.391/.622 shooting splits. It’s only a matter of time before Jae Crowder‘s successor makes a name for himself in this league.