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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Ja Morant #12 of the Memphis Grizzlies handles the ball during the first half against the Sacramento Kings at Golden 1 Center on February 20, 2020 in Sacramento, California. (Photo by Daniel Shirey/Getty Images) /

4. Ja Morant (2020)

Were it not for one voter who clearly believes NBA awards are popularity contests, Memphis Grizzlies point guard Ja Morant would be adding his name to the short list of unanimous Rookie of the Year winners.

Morant received 99 out of 100 first-place votes, with the one dissenting opinion picking New Orleans Pelicans power forward Zion Williamson. No disrespect to Zion — who entered the pros as a one-name-fame mainstream celebrity (Beyonce, LeBron, Oprah, etc.) and social media sensation — but his rookie resume didn’t match Morant’s. Injuries limited Zion to just 24 games this past season, and while he was great in that small sample, Morant was also great; and Zion’s Pelicans finished lower in the standings than Morant’s Grizzlies.

If that one voter had gotten it right, Morant would have joined Ralph Sampson, David Robinson, Blake Griffin, Damian Lillard and Karl-Anthony Towns in the unanimous Rookie of the Year lineage.

In a season that was interrupted by the COVID pandemic and resumed in an unprecedented “bubble” atmosphere, Morant was consistently dynamic and fell just short of leading Memphis to the playoffs.

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