Ranking Zion Williamson Against all Rookies and Sophomores

Going to Work

Every team needs guys who don’t need the ball. Every team needs guys who do all of the little things to help the team win, things that often don’t show up in the score books, but are vitally important to team success.

These two guys grab their lunch pails every night and go to work.

Wendell Carter Jr. is not a household name and probably never will be. The Bulls’ center does not put up huge numbers, but does the types of things that will keep him in an NBA rotation for years to come.

He averages 11.1 points and 9.5 rebounds per game, not outstanding numbers, but he missed a good chunk of the season to injury. Prior to his injury, Carter Jr. was quietly putting together a nice season, recording 17 double-doubles in his first 36 games.

Carter Jr. doesn’t have great blocked shot numbers but he is a streaky rim protector and has blocked two or more shots nine time in his injury-shortened season.

It might be a surprise to find him this high on the list, but Carter Jr. is a solid and professional NBA player who can do things teams need.

The Memphis Grizzlies are the surprise team of the NBA this season and it’s largely because of the play of three guys on this list.

Brandon Clarke has been everything the Grizzlies hoped he would be when they traded the Oklahoma City Thunder for his draft rights.

Clarke is already a strong rebounder, grabbing 5.8 per game and can defend multiple positions well. He averages just 12 points and 1.4 assists, but Clarke is the model “glue guy” who does all of the little things that contribute to winning basketball.

At age 23, Clarke is one of the older players on this list, but has proven himself to be a valuable player and a winner. The Grizzlies could very well make the playoffs this year, but even if they don’t, they have one of the best young cores in the NBA and will be competing for years to come.