Terence Davis
Out of every potential selection, this one seems the most out there. That doesn’t mean that it’s impossible, though. Terence Davis could well be selected to the All-NBA Rookie Second Team at the end of the season.
The undrafted guard from Ole Miss has had an electric start to his NBA career with the Toronto Raptors after impressing in the NBA Summer League. In 64 games, Davis has averaged 7.7 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 1.7 assists per game, shooting 46-percent from the field and 40-percent from three.
While he doesn’t put up the raw numbers that a few other rookie guards put up, Davis has the pleasure of being an impactful player on one of the best teams in the league. That’s not something many rookies can often attest to.
Davis is third in all rookies in PIPM and the top 30 in ESPN’s Real Plus-Minus. Not everyone is accepting of analytics but when the likes of Giannis Antetokounmpo and LeBron James hang around the top of each – you know it accounts for something.
The reason that Davis might be left off the ballot is there are only four guard spots on the combined two teams and there have been several impressive rookie guards this season. Ja Morant has undoubtedly been the Rookie of the Year and will be on the All-NBA Rookie First Team and he could be joined by the likes of Tyler Herro, Kendrick Nunn, Coby White, RJ Barrett or even Darius Garland.
Everyone named above averages more points per game than Davis and start most games. As a bench player, Davis is at a disadvantage already. Still, if the voters are willing to accept that Davis is one of the most composed rookies in the class, even if he doesn’t start, then he could have a real shot at making it in.
Selection: All-NBA Rookie Second Team