Toronto Raptors striker Scotty Barnes has been named a finalist for the NBA Rookie of the Year Award.
Announced Sunday, Barnes joins Cade Cunningham of the Detroit Pistons and Evan Mobley of the Cleveland Cavaliers as the three finalists for best player in the league’s first year this season.
The 20-year-old Barnes averaged 15.3 points and 7.5 rebounds per game in 74 games with the Raptors.
The 20-year-old Cunningham brought out all the new scorers with 17.4 points per race, while Mobley, another 20-year-old, was the best rebound and blocker for the rookies, grabbing 8.3 boards per night and deflecting 1.7 shots per game. match
All three rookie candidates were included in the top four in last year’s NBA Draft. Cunningham was taken first overall by the Pistons, Mobley was selected No. 3 by the Cavaliers, and Barnes was selected No. 4 by Toronto.
Of the three candidates, only Barnes’ Raptors qualified for the playoffs.
He recorded 15 points, 10 rebounds and eight assists in his playoff debut in Toronto’s first 131-111 loss to the Philadelphia 76ers on Saturday.
Barnes suffered a sprained left ankle, forcing him to leave the game in the middle of the fourth quarter. The Raptors said on Sunday that it was “doubtful” to play in Match 2 on Monday.
Other finalists announced Sunday were Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic, who will win his second consecutive MVP award, competing with Sixers star Joel Embid and Milwaukee Bucks Janice Adetokunmpo.
In addition, Michal Bridges (Phoenix Suns), Rudy Robert (Utah Jazz) and Marcus Smart (Boston Celtics) are finalists for Defender of the Year, Taylor Jenkins (Memphis Grizzlies), Erk Spoelstra (Miami Heath) and Monty Williams (Ph.D.) Fighting for Coach of the Year, Darius Garland (Cleveland), Ja Morant (Memphis) and Dejunte Murray (San Antonio Spurs) are the best finalist players, and the sixth man of the year trio of the year selected was Tyler Hero (Miami). Cam Johnson (Phoenix) and Kevin Love (Cleveland).
The winners of each award will be announced during the post-season.
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