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2016 NBA Rookie Rankings: Where did Mario Hezonja Finish?

By Brett David Roberts

Feb 20, 2016; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves center Karl-Anthony Towns (32) shoots around New York Knicks forward Kristaps Porzingis (6) during the first quarter at Target Center. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 20, 2016; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves center Karl-Anthony Towns (32) shoots around New York Knicks forward Kristaps Porzingis (6) during the first quarter at Target Center. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports /
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9. D’Angelo Russell

Previous Rank: 7

D’Angelo Russell by all accounts had a good rookie season, but the reason he falls to No. 9 has nothing to do with his on-court plays. Rather, we can now question whether Russell is a pariah to teammates after basically snitching on Nick Young and causing off-court discord.

Russell is supposed to be the leader of a team, and instead he caused off-court problems that apparently drove his teammates to freeze him out in the locker room. Is it fair to demote him so far in the rankings due to that? Perhaps not.

But Russell is not a guy who others want to play with now, and that is a pity because his on court gifts alone are great.

Russell averaged 13 points per game on a team destined to allow Kobe Bryant an incessant green light, no matter the result. He could easily find his way out of the league though if guys do not want to play with him.

It will be really intriguing to see if Russell can overcome the stigma now attached to his name and career.

Next: Belated Props