Willy's been a bit surprise for the Raptors this year, showing great rebounding and blocking ability. In week 17, he averaged 14 rebounds per 36 minutes. These tall Euro rooks are coming over to the NBA ready to play, on both sides of the court. A pleasant surprise.

'THAT THON, THO-THO-THO-THON!'
Digeze asked Thon if he was ready to meet his Maker, and Thon replied 'oh, we go way back, mate.'
And so it appears they do. He has been balling out ever since the first minute he stepped onto the court and his Porzingis like build is already proving to be a massive advantage in the NLL. He can shoot, run, jump - if you want to make it on this Hornets team, you better pray you are 6'6' or taller.

One of a few Grizzlies rookies who have had a huge workload all season. Chriss was a player who had scouts disagreeing on his ability during the draft, with some people believing he was taken too high and was too raw. However, it appears that GM jessedunne has been vindicated - with Chris turning in a terrific season averaging 14 and 10 with great fg and defensive statistics, and a whole lotta dunks! Chriss-tal sippin'!

Another rookie (that I haven't even heard of - but that's not saying much) from one of the youth factories, the Clippers. Picks, picks, picks. He was serviceable during week 17 but has only played in 11 games on the season. Kudos for getting into contention for ROTW!

A player that was strongly and almost entirely overlooked because of his size, Tyler Ulis has had a lifetime of trying to prove himself. He is starting to show some really great signs as of late and eventually that could translate into a more impactful output. He is agile and very intelligent; a great floor general type of point guard.

Aren't we getting spoiled with late first/early second round Euro big men these past years?! With Mavs officially in tank mode, Zubac was able to play almost 40 MINUTES per week during week 17. The result... 17 REBOUNDS PER GAME! As well as 3.6 combined steals and blocks and 13 points a game. He is young and a bit robotic still but it seems that another legit Euro big man has been unearthed and smokey will give him a huge run these closing weeks. 

Buddy did good. Buddy did real good. Dad's supporting cast wounds have been Hield by this man, the outside gunner Buddy Hield. He is putting up a remarkably efficient and impactful line and has flown under the radar a bit this season in terms of rookie ranking recognition. Buddy deserves to be in the conversation. His team is winning, and even alongside Chef Curry, he put up 18.3/6.8/4.3 last week, on stellar efficiency. I like this kid.

'Kris Kross will make you, jump, jump!'
Kris has everybody rebounding at the moment, as his shot has disappeared on him as of late. In a pretty remarkable week, Dunn averaged almost a FGA per minute that he was on the court. He fills he box score, that's why he should win... and he's not afraid to take shots.

The rookie factory that is the Charlotte Hornets continues to produce, with Murray looking right at home on the big stage and showing signs that one day he could be a legitimate high volume scorer and shooter in the league. Last week he played a subtle-but-effective bench role for the Hornets, putting up numbers in every box score column. Ah, to be a patient GM...

The beacon of hope for the subterranean Trail Blazers. And Brown, can play. He is putting in work for the Blazers and is actually improving as the season goes on. I truly believe this guy is going to be a great player one day and in spite of the huge workload he has had all season, week 17 was one of his best yet.