Orlando Magic Daily
Fansided

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 /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
4 of 11
Next
Julius Randle, Los Angeles Lakers
Jan 1, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers guard Nik Stauskas (11) defends Los Angeles Lakers forward Julius Randle (30) in the second half of the game at Staples Center. Lakers won 93-84. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports /

3. Julius Randle

Julius Randle clocks in at No. 3 in the rookie rankings (although he is not technically a rookie after playing just one game in his true rookie season), and it is mostly because he is on the cusp of doing something rare for rookies: averaging a double-double.

The Los Angeles Lakers are a sheer disaster this season, but Los Angeles has won two straight and seems to be gaining momentum as Kobe Bryant starts playing more like his old self. Randle is seeing 27 minutes per night and averaging 11.6 points and 9.5 rebounds per game.

Randle’s stats hover at the league average for a power forward, but the early signs show a player not dissimilar from the late Anthony Mason. Randle can put it on the floor and get inside to bang, and that playing style should prove valuable even in this era of the three-point shot.

Next: The troubled post savant