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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Luka Doncic #77 of the Dallas Mavericks looks on smiling as he returns to the bench against the Golden State Warriors on March 23, 2019 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /

5. Luka Doncic (2019)

Michael Jordan. LeBron James. Oscar Robertson. Tyreke Evans. Luka Doncic.

That’s the list of NBA players who averaged at least 20 points, five rebounds and five assists per game as rookies. Three of them are living legends. One of them is on the verge of becoming known as a one-year wonder.

All signs indicate Doncic is going to wind up closer to the former category than the latter, as he improved on his 2019 Rookie of the Year campaign by getting some late-season MVP talk in 2020.

Doncic had already been a pro overseas before coming to the NBA and joining the Dallas Mavericks. The experienced youngster proceeded to put up 21.2 points, 7.8 rebounds and 6.0 assists per game for the Mavs.

The team was not good that year, finishing second-to-last place in the Western Conference. The focus in Dallas was more on Dirk Nowitzki’s farewell tour than on Doncic’s bubbling potential, but “Luka Legend” made it clear he was going to thrive as the face of the franchise moving forward.

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