NBA: Handing Out Awards For First Round Of 2017 NBA Playoffs

Mar 6, 2017; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Utah Jazz head coach Quin Snyder keeps an eye on the action in the third quarter against the New Orleans Pelicans at Vivint Smart Home Arena. The Utah Jazz defeated the New Orleans Pelicans 88-83. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Swinger-USA TODAY Sports /

2 of 6

Apr 26, 2017; Washington, DC, USA; Atlanta Hawks forward Taurean Prince (12) drives to the basket as Washington Wizards forward Otto Porter Jr. (22) and Wizards center Marcin Gortat (13) defend in the first quarter in game five of the first round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs at Verizon Center. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports /

Rookie of the First Round: Taurean Prince, Atlanta Hawks

This wasn’t the strongest rookie class in recent memory, but a number of first-year players performed well in the 2017 NBA Playoffs. Malcolm Brogdon and Thon Maker of the Milwaukee Bucks were prime examples, as they helped their team nearly upset the Toronto Raptors.

After a quiet regular season, however, it was Atlanta Hawks small forward Taurean Prince who earned the Rookie of the First Round award.

Prince went toe-to-toe with Washington Wizards small forward Otto Porter Jr., who has emerged as one of the better players at his position. With Atlanta in desperate need of help on both ends of the floor, Prince stepped up.

Prince scored in double figures in five of the six games, including a pair of invaluable performances during the two outings Atlanta won.

Prince scored a postseason career-high 16 points on 7-of-10 shooting to help Atlanta win Game 3 by a score of 116-98. He followed with 11 points and seven rebounds on 5-of-7 shooting during the Hawks’ 111-101 victory in Game 4.

For what it’s worth, the Hawks were 4.7 points per 100 possessions better with Prince on the court than they were without him during the their first-round series.