NBA Rookie of the Year 'Dark Horses'

Image Credit: Greg M. Cooper

While all eyes have been on high lottery picks such as Zion Williamson, RJ Barrett, Ja Morant, Tyler Herro, and even Coby White, there are a few rookies that not many people are overlooking as potential rookie of the year candidates. Here are five rookies that I consider 'dark horses' to win the award.

#1) Carsen Edwards, Boston Celtics

Edwards has taken the NBA by storm since being drafted in the second round, 33rd overall. Over the NBA pre-season, he's hooped. Just last week he went off against the Cleveland Cavaliers in the third quarter scoring 26 points with 24 of them coming from behind the arch. Carsen has shown his scoring ability all offseason, and though he won't get starting minutes with the Celtics front-court being so loaded with names like Kemba Walker, Marcus Smart, Jaylen Brown, and Romeo Langford but, when given opportunity he'll take advantage. I predict something similar to what happened with Terry Rozier. He can easily climb the rookie race if given the playing time.

#2) Nickeil Alexander-Walker, New Orleans Pelicans

We first saw Walker go off in the Summer League alongside Jaxson hayes. What we saw was a very promising young prospect and a possible steal, being drafted 17th overall. Walker this Pre-Season managed to average 15 points a game while showing promising shooting splits of 47-46-81. Walker will most likely see backup minutes due to lack of depth at the point guard position after Lonzo Ball. Don’t be surprised if he breaks out and averages around five to six assists a night, surrounded by high flyers such as fellow rookies Zion Williamson and Jaxson Hayes, and some solid shooters in JJ Redick and Jrue Holiday.

#3) Brandon Clarke, Memphis Grizzlies

In Las Vegas, Brandon Clarke had a headline type summer putting up outstanding numbers while leading the Grizzlies to the summer league championship and winning MVP of the tournament. Clarke has continued his dominance this pre-season averaging a double-double on solid efficiency. Ja Morant could elevate and help take Clarke’s scoring to the next level.

#4) Matisse Thybulle, Philadelphia 76’ers

Thybulle was regarded as the best (by far) perimeter defender in all of the college basketball last season, averaging 3.5 steals and 2.3 blocks a game. The 76ers are a very starting lineup heavy team and have limited depth. Expect Thybulle along with Trey Burke to run the Sixers' second unit. Don’t be surprised if he puts up some outlandish numbers especially on the defensive end.

#5) Jordan Poole, Golden State Warriors

Poole has been thought of as the 'steal' since being drafted late in the first round by the Warriors. Poole was known as a three-point threat and a solid perimeter defender. So far he has lived up to expectations. Poole has been averaging 13 points in the pre-Season while shooting 33% from behind the three-point line, and 88% from the stripe. Expect Poole to get plenty of minutes after the departures of Shaun Livingston, Andre Iguodala, Alfonzo Mckinnie. Warriors head coach Steve Kerr said today that Klay Thompson will likely miss the entire regular season. It wouldn't be a shocker if Poole somehow slipped into the Top 5 of the rookie of the year race. Keep your eye out for 'The Microwave'.

-Connor Phillipo