Ranking Ja Morant among past NBA Rookie of the Year winners

MEMPHIS, TN - JANUARY 26: Ja Morant #12 of the Memphis Grizzlies looks on during a game against the Phoenix Suns at FedExForum on January 26, 2020 in Memphis, Tennessee. The Grizzlies defeated the Suns 114-109. 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. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /

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Kyrie Irving #2 of the Cleveland Cavaliers in action against Iman Shumpert #21 of the New York Knicks on February 29, 2012 at Madison Square Garden in New York City. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images) /

8. Kyrie Irving (2012)

A foot injury limited Kyrie Irving’s college career to a total of 11 games at Duke. Then an NBA labor lockout limited his rookie season to a shortened 66-game schedule. Kyrie played in 51 of those games, thanks to a shoulder injury and a concussion.

Injuries have been a regular part of the Kyrie Irving story, but when healthy he’s carved out an All-Star career that includes hitting the series-winning shot in Game 7 of the 2016 NBA Finals.

Before he helped bring that championship to Cleveland with LeBron and Kevin Love as teammates, Irving was the lone star as a rookie on a rebuilding Cavs team. He averaged 18.5 points and 5.4 assists per game on his way to winning Rookie of the Year, while his team finished third-worst in the East.

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