Duke basketball: Zion Williamson continues to make history in rookie year
Former Duke basketball standout continues to make history in his rookie season in the NBA.
Nineteen regular season games were not enough to win the NBA Rookie of the Year Award for Zion Williamson, but it was enough to be named to the First Team All-Rookie.
The league announced its 10 selections to the All-Rookie Team on Wednesday afternoon, and the former Blue Devil and Rookie of the Year winner Ja Morant headlined the First Team.
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Williamson and Morant were joined by Memphis Grizzlies forward Brandon Clarke, Miami Heat guard Kendrick Nunn, and Golden State Warriors forward Eric Paschal.
The All-Rookie Second Team included Heat guard Tyler Herro, Toronto Raptors guard Terence Davis, Chicago Bulls guard Coby White, Charlotte Hornets forward P.J. Washington. and Washington Wizards forward Rui Hachimura.
One notable omission from the All-Rookie Teams was former Blue Devil and New York Knicks guard RJ Barrett, who received the 11th most votes, placing him just outside the Second Team.
The questionable decision was placing Davis on the Second Team after he averaged 7.5 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 1.3 assists per game while Barrett averaged 14.3 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 2.6 assists per game.
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Davis received a remarkable 30 First Team votes compared to Barrett’s 19 while the No. 3 overall pick received 41 Second Team votes to Davis’ 36.
Ja Morant was the only unanimous selection to the All-Rookie Team as Kendrick Nunn fell one vote shy of the same honor.
Zion Williamson received 87 First Team votes and two Second Team votes as Brandon Clarke was the only other player to receive more First Team votes than Williamson.
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The former consensus National Player of the Year was sidelined because of a knee injury but averaged 23.6 points, 6.8 rebounds, and 2.2 assists per game prior to the NBA’s suspension due to the coronavirus pandemic as the restart games do not count towards the regular season awards.
Williamson will be looking to take the next step in his career under a new head coach as the Pelicans relieved Alvin Gentry of his duties following New Orleans’ exit from the NBA’s bubble.