NBA rookies across the league gathered in New York two weekends ago for the rookie symposium, a time where the league brings in speakers, including former players, to help aid in the players’ transition to the big leagues.
Really learning a lot out here at the RTP thankful for the NBPA taking the initiative to reach out to us to prepare us for the year #blessed
— Myles Turner (@Original_Turner) August 12, 2015
At the annual event, they discussed the importance of taking care of finances, keeping a tight circle, how to get help in the league, and how to be successful. There was also a photoshoot.
One of the stations was a survey table, where the rookies were polled by NBA.com on a number of subjects. Some serious, others not so much. Ten questions in all were answered by the 36 rooks on hand.
Joe Young will wear No. 1 for the Pacers.
Joe Young, the Pacers’ second-round pick out of Oregon, is clearly thought highly of by his fellow rookies. He was tabbed as the biggest steal in the draft, receiving 12.1 percent of the votes.
(Players couldn’t vote for themselves or their current teammates.)
Indianapolis native R.J. Hunter, who was taken by Boston, tied with Minnesota’s Tyus Jones, Chicago’s Bobby Portis, and Miami’s Justise Winslow with 9.1 percent of the votes. Myles Turner and Boston’s Terry Rozier received 6.1 percent of votes.
Lakers guard D’Angelo Russell earned 40 percent of the votes in response to best playmaker. Young slotted in a tie for fifth with Oklahoma City’s Cameron Payne with 5.7 percent of votes.
Young also received votes for “Funniest Rookie” and “Best Rookie Defender.” Rakeem Christmas, who Indiana acquired in a trade with Cleveland, picked up a few votes in the latter category.
[Joe Young discovers he’s fifth cousins with Paul George]
As for who would win the coveted Rookie of the Year award, the players’ top three went like this:
1. Jahlil Okafor, Philadelphia — 41.9 percent
2. Stanley Johnson, Detroit — 19.4 percent
3. Karl-Anthony Towns, Minnesota — 12.9 percent