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Top-10 Rookie Rankings: Where does Mario Hezonja Stand Thus Far?

By Brett David Roberts

Nov 23, 2015; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Philadelphia 76ers center Jahlil Okafor (8) boxes out against Minnesota Timberwolves center Karl-Anthony Towns (32) in the fourth quarter at Target Center. The Timberwolves win 100-95 over the 76ers. Mandatory Credit: Marilyn Indahl-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 23, 2015; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Philadelphia 76ers center Jahlil Okafor (8) boxes out against Minnesota Timberwolves center Karl-Anthony Towns (32) in the fourth quarter at Target Center. The Timberwolves win 100-95 over the 76ers. Mandatory Credit: Marilyn Indahl-USA TODAY Sports /
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Kristaps Porzingis, New York Knicks, Chicago Bulls
Jan 1, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; New York Knicks forward Kristaps Porzingis (6)drives to the basket against Chicago Bulls forward Bobby Portis (5) during the second half at United Center. The Bulls won 108-81. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports /

2. Kristaps Porzingis

Kristaps Porzingis has been all the rave in the Big Apple. It comes with an “I told you so,” as he was booed in loud and dramatic fashion after being taken No. 4 overall in the 2015 draft. Knicks fans seldom are pleased with draft choices, but this stands as one of their most egregious misjudgments so far.

Essentially so far, Porzingis has demonstrated he is a shot blocker and excellent rim protector. He has demonstrated a shooting stroke worthy of camping out behind the line on some plays. In many senses, Kristaps is the Latvian version of one-time Utah Jazz forward Andrei Kirilenko. Both sport the wingspans of a golden condor, and it abets Porzingis in covering more space than the typical forward along the baselines.

And as good as he has been defensively, his offensive promise is hardly lacking either.

This season he is posting 13.1 points, eight rebounds and 2.74 blocks/steals. His 18.0 PER trails only Towns among rookies, but the eye test reveals a player who might just be the toast of this draft class. It is too early to say that with definitiveness, however.

Next: The rookie sophomore