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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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Nikola Jokic, Denver Nuggets, Trevor Booker, Utah Jazz
Apr 10, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; Utah Jazz forward Trevor Booker (33) guards Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic (15) in the third quarter at the Pepsi Center. The Jazz defeated the Nuggets 100-84. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports /

10. Nikola Jokic

Previous Rank: Unranked

Nikola Jokic breaks into the rankings, but perhaps he really should have already been ranked in previous editions. He averaged 10.7 points and seven rebounds per game while posting a PER of 21.58, second to only Karl-Anthony Towns.

In the last two months of the season, Jokic averaged 10.8 points, 3.3 assists and nine rebounds per game while playing just 24 minutes per game.

In the last two weeks of the season he saw his minutes increased to 30.6, and he averaged a double-double with 13 points and 10.8 rebounds per game. Jokic is a long 6-foot-10 and can play either the 4 or the 5 spot given his range and ability to step out.

Jokic shot 33 percent from three this season while attempting 1.1 per game. Further improvement may render him one of the more dangerous forwards in the league, and he shot 51 percent from the field this year while attempting just 7.5 shots per game.

A larger role is in order and likely to happen, as Denver looks to its young talent while potentially reshaping its roster further this summer.

Next: Orlando Magic's close losses a sign of progress

Jokic was taken No. 41 overall in the 2014 draft, so this was his rookie season finally and it was a good one.