NBA: 5 young players who have surprised everyone this season

5 young NBA players that have surprised everyone this year: Scottie Barnes

The phrase ‘work in progress’ and Scottie Barnes were synonymous in scouting reports leading up to this year’s draft. However, so far, the Toronto Raptors wing looks like the most accomplished rookie of the entire class.

He is leading all rookies in scoring with 16.6 points per game and is shooting over 50 percent from the field. Much was made of Barnes’ lack of a jump shot in college, but he has quieted a lot of those concerns with his success from the mid-range.

While that has not yet translated into a solid three-point shot, the rest of his game has been exactly as advertised. He is a tenacious defender, plays with incredible energy, and can operate as a ball-handler, too.

There was little doubt regarding his ability to contribute right away on the defensive end in the NBA, but the progress Barnes has quickly made on the offensive end since college has been a real surprise.

He still has a long way to go, but Barnes is already way ahead of where most NBA fans envisioned him at this point in his career. Toronto surprised a lot of people when they passed on Jalen Suggs, but so far, that decision looks a sensible one.