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Los Angeles Lakers: Kyle Kuzma, Lonzo Ball recognized as top rookies

By Nick Ziegler

LOS ANGELES, CA - MARCH 13: (EDITORS NOTE this image has been converted to black and white) Lonzo Ball #2 and Kyle Kuzma #0 of the Los Angeles Lakers stand for the National Anthem before the game against the Denver Nuggets on March 13, 2018 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - MARCH 13: (EDITORS NOTE this image has been converted to black and white) Lonzo Ball #2 and Kyle Kuzma #0 of the Los Angeles Lakers stand for the National Anthem before the game against the Denver Nuggets on March 13, 2018 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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After strong rookie seasons for the Los Angeles Lakers, Kyle Kuzma and Lonzo Ball both received recognition as top first-year players in the NBA.

The Los Angeles Lakers were able to add some serious talent to their young core in the 2017 NBA Draft. With three first-round picks, the Lakers were poised to add some good talent, but nothing is guaranteed when it comes to drafting players from college.

With the second overall pick, the Lakers were able to select Lonzo Ball from UCLA. Ball came into the NBA with a ton of expectations, and while he isn’t the next Magic Johnson just yet, he was able to have a nice rookie season. Injuries were an issue for Ball, but when healthy, he was able to show signs that he could be a point guard capable of getting a triple-double on any night.

For his strong season, Ball was named to the All-Rookie Second Team along with Dennis Smith Jr, John Collins, Josh Jackson, and Bogdan Bogdanovic.

In addition to Ball making the All-Rookie Second Team, Kyle Kuzma was named to All-Rookie First Team. Kuzma joins Ben Simmons, Donovan Mitchell, Lauri Markkanen, and Jayson Tatum on a very strong All-Rookie First Team.

As the 27th overall pick, Kuzma was an absolute steal for the Lakers, as plenty of other teams passed on him. Early on in the Las Vegas Summer League, Kuzma proved that he was able to be a versatile scorer, and he carried that right into the regular season.

In his rookie season, Kuzma was able to average 16.1 points and 6.3 rebounds per game. As a bit of a hybrid forward, Kuzma has a lot of potential for the Lakers moving forward, as he figures to be a big part of what they are building. Considering how polished Kuzma was a scorer in his first year, there is no reason why he can’t be a 20-point per game scorer in the very near future.

Next: Kyle Kuzma's Top 5 games of the 2017-18 season

As the Lakers hope their rebuild is coming to an end soon, seeing both Ball and Kuzma recognized as two of the top rookies in this class is certainly encouraging. Now, Kuzma and Ball will both have to work hard to take another step forward and avoid the dreaded sophomore slump.

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