SBNation has ranked the top rookies for the 2019-20 season and two former Kentucky Wildcats were ranked in the top 19.
PJ Washington and Tyler Herro are actually both ranked in the Top 10.
9. P.J. Washington, F, Charlotte Hornets
Washington made serious strides as an outside shooter during his sophomore season at Kentucky, and that progress carried over to the NBA after the Hornets selected him with the No. 12 overall pick. A long and strong 6’8 forward, Washington took nearly 40 percent of his shots from three-point range and hit them at a 37.4 percent clip. He also offers value as a rebounder and defender, giving Charlotte the lineup flexibility to move him all over the court. There’s nothing particularly flashy about his game, but having a steady two-way forward with length (7’2 wingspan) and the ability to stretch the floor is bound to make Washington a valuable piece for a long time. There’s a reason he started all but one game for the Hornets this year.7. Tyler Herro, SG, Miami Heat
The Heat drafted Herro at No. 13 overall to be a prolific off-ball shooter, and that’s much pretty much what he became as a rookie. Herro took 47 percent of his shots from three-point range and made them at a 39 percent clip. Herro was already an elite shooter off spot-ups, finishing in the 95th percentile on such play types, per Synergy Sports. Herro is a natural fit playing next a dominant ball handler like Jimmy Butler, darting around screens in the half-court and leaking out in transition for open looks early in the shot clock. While his defensive impact and offensive creation ability remain a question, the Heat can feel good about Herro’s ability to excel in his role going forward.
Read “The NBA’s 19 best rookies this season, ranked” by clicking here.
