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ESPN Senior Writer- Co-author, Pro Basketball Prospectus series
- Formerly a consultant with the Indiana Pacers
- Developed WARP rating and SCHOENE system
A year ago, there was serious debate whether Zion Williamson or Ja Morant was the best rookie, measured either by what they'd done so far in the NBA or what they would go on to do. A year later, that debate seems to be settled. Though Morant ended up taking home last season's Rookie of the Year honors, Williamson -- the No. 1 overall pick in the 2019 draft -- has reestablished himself atop the class of second-year players.
Taking into account what we've seen over two abbreviated seasons -- one of which was interrupted for four months -- we've ranked the NBA's second-year players by their long-term outlook.
Note: Find each writer's top-10 rankings at the bottom of this article.