NBA: Zion Williamson leads the 2020-21 All-Sophomore Teams
2020-21 NBA All-Sophomore: Third Team
Nic Claxton, C, Brooklyn Nets
The Brooklyn Nets went all-in on offense this season, not only trading for one-way star James Harden but offloading their best defender, Jarrett Allen, in the process. With DeAndre Jordan a shell of his former self, the Nets looked to last year’s second-round pick to step up – and he did in a major way.
Claxton is elite defensively in most advanced metrics, is averaging 12.8 points and 10.1 rebounds per 36 minutes, and is filling a role no other player on the roster can fill. If he can keep his per-minute impact at a higher minute total going forward he will be an above-average starting center in the league.
Daniel Gafford, C, Washington Wizards
Daniel Gafford was something of an afterthought in the 2019 NBA Draft, falling to the 38th pick as a non-spacing center. In a crowded center rotation with the Chicago Bulls, he made enough impact for the Washington Wizards to take him on in a midseason trade. Since then Gafford has been a per-minute beast as a rim protector, blocking 3.6 shots per 36 minutes. His block percentage of 8.4 percent would rank third in the league if he had played enough minutes to qualify.
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Tyler Herro, G, Miami Heat
After Tyler Herro’s hot streak in the NBA Bubble playoffs last season, many expected him to take another leap forward this year. A shortened offseason and the non-linear path of growth for young players did not bring another leap, but his established level of play is as a good player on a playoff team. That’s enough to land him a spot on the All-Sophomore Third Team.
DeAndre Hunter, F, Atlanta Hawks
Injuries have limited DeAndre Hunter to just 23 games this season, but when he has played he has proven to be just what the Atlanta Hawks hoped for when they traded up for him in the 2019 NBA Draft. He is an elite defender, with the size and length combination to guard multiple positions. He’s been able to increase his scoring load as well and is trending towards becoming an efficient scorer alongside the more offensively potent Trae Young. If he played 60 or more games he would have been on the first team.
Jordan Poole, G, Golden State Warriors
Perhaps the worst rookie getting regular playing time last season, Jordan Poole has grown exponentially over the last calendar year and is now playing a crucial role on a good team. He can absolutely cook as a scorer, with nine games over 20 points and a career-high 38 in the Warriors’ second-to-last game of the season despite mostly coming off the bench. Moving forward he should settle in as a great third guard for a contender next year.