Draft Digest Rookies of the Week: Winners Born A Decade Apart
Each week, the Draft Digest team picks an NBA rookie from each conference as the best player of the week. While most rookies are teenagers or in their early twenties, there are often first-year players who come from overseas after a long professional career.
This week, the two rookies who had some of the most impressive performances both played professionally last season before making the jump to the NBA, but are roughly ten years apart in age. Either way, they're both rookies and making an impact on their respective teams.
Who brought home the hardware this week?
Eastern Conference
Vasilije Micic (Charlotte Hornets)
Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports
Stats Since All-Star Break: 6 GP | 7.0 PPG | 5.8 APG | 1.2 RPG
While he's still finding his footing in the scoring department at the NBA level, the passing has absolutely translated immediately for Micic as a 30-year-old rookie. A decorated player internationally, he started his NBA career with the Thunder at the start of the season but was traded at the recent deadline.
He's been a significant spark plug for the Hornets since being added to the roster, acting as a primary facilitator off the bench. He hasn't yet been able to score at an efficient rate in the NBA and is adjusting to the level of athleticism, but is generating points for teammates with ease.
Western Conference
Victor Wembanyama (San Antonio Spurs)
Daniel Dunn-USA TODAY Sports
Stats Since All-Star Break: 5 GP | 22.6 PPG | 11.8 RPG | 5.2 APG | 4.8 BPG | 3.0 SPG
Not only did he earn the prestigious '5x5' following the All-Star break, but Wembanyama also put together a signature win shortly after against Chet Holmgren and the Oklahoma City Thunder on Thursday night. He's produced 7.8 stocks (steals + blocks) over his last five games and has essentially locked in the NBA Rookie of the Year Award.
Wembanyama has earned an absurd 99 DSI from Cerebro Sports this season, which is the second-highest defensive grade in the entire NBA. He's already a legitimate Defensive Player of the Year candidate and emerging as a face of the NBA.
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