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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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Emmanuel Mudiay, Denver Nuggets, Pat Connaughton, Portland Trail Blazers
Apr 13, 2016; Portland, OR, USA; Denver Nuggets guard Emmanuel Mudiay (0) holds the balls as Portland Trail Blazers guard Pat Connaughton (5) defends during the 4th quarter at Moda Center at the Rose Quarter. Mandatory Credit: Cole Elsasser-USA TODAY Sports /

7. Emmanuel Mudiay

Previous Rank: 8

Emmanuel Mudiay had a tough task leading a Denver Nuggets team this season. The rookie was thrown into the fire from day one, and he started 66 of the 68 games he played in this season. Mudiay also played 30.4 minutes per game, but he never really seemed to hit much of a rookie wall. He had to spend time on the injured list with a calf injury and he also missed 14 games with an ankle sprain.

In the last month of the season Mudiay averaged 15.1 points, 4.2 rebounds and 4.4 assists per game while shooting 38.5 percent from the field. That was an improvement on his season mark of 36.4 percent, and Mudiay needs to spend time shooting the ball this summer to obtain a respectable jump shot. That will propel him to a much higher level, and his natural basketball gifts make him a natural point guard.

Mudiay averaged 5.5 assists per game on the season, but Denver shot just 44.2 percent from the field. The chance is there for him to improve his numbers if Denver adds more shooters. The Nuggets hit just 8.0 threes per game this season, and Mudiay accounted for 1.1 of those but he shot at just a 31.9 percent clip.

If Elfrid Payton can make the 3-point leap he did, then it is within Mudiay’s reach too. A jump shot is necessary for all guards, but his court vision and natural athleticism makes him an intriguing guy to keep an eye on.

Next: Power Up