Minnesota Timberwolves starlet Andrew Wiggins is reportedly expected to be named NBA Rookie of the Year on Thursday, according to league sources as reported by USA Today.
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The season started with significant disruption for the No.1 overall Draft pick, as he was traded by the Cleveland Cavaliers in the deal that saw Kevin Love head in the opposite direction.
Having spent time in Cleveland during training camp, it would have been a huge blow for the youngster to be discarded by the organisation in their bid for immediate success.
However, his switch to Minnesota arguably gave him more of an opportunity to establish himself as a real prospect in the league in his first season, and he looks set to be rewarded for his solid play with the Rookie of the Year title.
Admittedly, the 20-year-old was helped by the fact that Milwaukee Bucks star Jabari Parker suffered a season-ending injury early in the year, and so his expected toughest competition was removed from the equation.
Chicago Bulls star Nikola Mirotic arguably emerged as his closest rival along with Elfrid Payton of the Orlando Magic, but his fellow rookies apparently didn’t do enough to displace Wiggins for top spot in voting.
Wiggins averaged 16.9 points and 4.6 rebounds while playing all 82 games and averaged 39 minutes per game as he was a shining light for a Minnesota team that struggled with injuries and form throughout the year.
In addition, he won the first four Western Conference rookie of the month awards and he remained consistent and committed despite seeing his team struggle throughout the year to end the regular season bottom of the Western Conference with a 16-66 record.
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