Grading all Toronto Raptors rookies as first year comes to a close

Scottie Barnes

Every single accolade and kind word that Barnes has earned and engendered this season is justified. The Raptors made no bones about the fact that they were going to entrust him with a large chunk of responsibility on both sides of the ball, and he has responded by becoming a Rookie of the Year candidate.

Barnes has averaged 18.1 points and 8.6 rebounds per game since the All-Star break, as he is making up for the loss of OG Anunoby in the rotation. Barnes has not only reignited the ROY debate due to Evan Mobley failing to seize control of that race, but he may have passed him.

Scottie Barnes has been a wonderful star for the Toronto Raptors.

Barnes was billed as a player that would need to learn the finer points of offense when he was coming out of Florida State. Instead of the usual rookie growing pains, Raptors fans have seen Barnes take games over in an efficient and controlled fashion.

Toronto is ushering in a new era of basketball in which Barnes takes on a starring role alongside Fred VanVleet and Pascal Siakam. Even if he missed out on Rookie of the Year, Toronto should be confident that they landed a future star in Barnes. Masai Ujiri does it again.

Grade: A+