With the NBA regular season nearing the home stretch, there has been a number of players who have upped their games this season.
Despite being the No. 1 overall pick in the 2018 NBA Draft, Deandre Ayton flew under the radar as a rookie last season. That’s no longer the case. Meanwhile, Both Brandon Ingram and Jayson Tatum earned All-Star appearances for the first time this season. Each wing is among the best young forwards in the game.
These are among the seven biggest breakout stars thus far this season.
Deandre Ayton, center, Phoenix Suns
The No. 1 overall pick in 2018, Ayton did not get much play as a rookie. Luka Doncic and Trae Young were more popular from a national perspective. Add in his suspension to start this season, and Ayton was flying under the radar.
That’s no longer the case. At 6-foot-11, Ayton is a skilled big man. He reminds us of a young Karl-Anthony Towns. The numbers are there to back this up. The 21-year-old Ayton is averaging 19.2 points and 12.0 rebounds on 56 percent shooting from the field this season. Those are some absurd numbers from such a young big.
