Every year, a buzz surrounds the NBA as an incoming class of 18–22-year-old rookies compete to establish their legacy within the league. Many top picks in the NBA Draft make an instant impact on their newfound professional teams. Last year, Luka Doncic and Trae Young, both of whom were drafted within the top five picks, made significant impacts on their teams. After the top few picks however, NBA fans look for the diamonds in the rough who may exceed the performances of top picks in their first year. Manu Ginobili, Tony Parker, Steve Nash, and even Kobe Bryant were all drafted outside of the top ten picks in their respective drafts.
In the ever-evolving NBA, the three point shot has become the norm: in the NBA preseason, an astounding 40 percent of shots were launched from three point range. With the importance of efficient three point shooters, I will lay out three less-lauded rookies who could have breakout seasons from beyond the arc.
Tyler Herro (13th,
Kentucky → Miami Heat)
Herro stands out as one of the elite three point shooters in his class. Although he doesn’t have the athleticism of some other star guards, he primarily lives off of shots off the dribble and catch and shoot threes. Herro shot 35.5 percent from three at Kentucky, scoring 14 points per game. However, in his past five preseason games for the Heat, Herro exploded, shooting 51.9 percent (14–27) from three. The Miami Heat ranked 26 out of 30 teams last year in scoring, and Herro could be the answer to their prayers.
Carsen Edwards (33rd,
Purdue → Boston Celtics)
Edwards’s drafting in the second round of the NBA draft could be one of the greatest steals in recent years. At 6’0”, many NBA teams were uncertain about drafting him early, but his offensive and three point stats speak for themselves.
In his sophomore and junior years, Edwards shot 40.6 percent and 35.5 percent from three point range respectively, and averaged 18.5 and 24.3 points per game respectively.
His breakout performances, however, were during the acclaimed NCAA tournament, where he arguably had the best postseason shooting performance of any player in NCAA history. He averaged an astounding 34.8 points per game, the ninth most in tournament history, became the first player to make nine or more three pointers in multiple games, and crushed the record of three pointers made per game with seven. This title was previously held by Stephen Curry and Jeff Fryer with 5.75 makes per game.
Edwards also had a good NBA preseason, ending strongly in his last game against the Cavaliers, scoring eight out of eleven three pointers in 9 minutes in the third quarter and four from 30+ feet out; the most made previously from 30+ feet in any NBA quarter was two.
Edwards’ only downfalls are his defensive capabilities in an increasingly physical NBA, and the streakiness of his performances. However, with his recent record breaking performances, Edwards will, at worst, be an extremely entertaining player to watch this NBA season.
Cameron Johnson (11th, UNC → Phoenix Suns)
Johnson comes into this season with the most consistent jumpshot in the 2019 draft class. He shot an unprecedented 45.7 percent from three during his senior year for UNC, and scored 17 points per game.
Although Johnson is an elite shooter, he has other strong facets to his game that could give him a starting spot for the Suns this season. He is 6’9”, a good defender, and has the athleticism to consistently dunk over other players. Johnson could truly be one of the great shooters in the NBA if he translates these skills into NBA play.
He plays on a team that spaces the floor well, and in the Suns’ system, he could start at small forward and make his open shots.
