Rookie of the Year: Ivica Zubac
For Ivica Zubac, this season has been all about opportunity. As the No. 32 pick in the draft, no one expected anything of him. All eyes were on the shiny new No. 2 pick, Brandon Ingram. While Ingram has impressive this season, that’s the expectation for the No. 2 pick in the draft, especially in a market like Los Angeles. However, despite being taken in the second round, Zubac has arguably been the best of the two.
Over the last five games, Zubac is averaging 10 points and 6.2 rebounds in 18 minutes per game. In those five games, Zubac has set a new career-high three times, including a 17-point outburst in their last win over the Denver Nuggets. He’s also been a beast on the boards, picking up a pair of double-doubles since the Jan. 25.
Ingram has all the talent, but he has been inconsistent throughout the season. One game he’s the best player on the floor and the next game he looks like a 19-year-old playing in the NBA. That’s normal for a young player, which makes Zubac’s “Mr. Reliable” role all the more impressive.
Luckily, we won’t need to spend too much time arguing over who is the better of the two over the next for years. Instead, we can enjoy the growth of these two young, talented players. The future could not be brighter.
Honorable mention: Brandon Ingram