Everyone knows the hype surrounding rookies Victor Wembanyama and Chet Holmgren, however Dallas’ rookie Dereck Vigorous II is quietly on the rise.
19-year-old Vigorous has arguably been the Mavs’ second-most impactful participant behind Luka Doncic as Dallas take pleasure in a 15-8 begin to the season.
Vigorous was chosen because the quantity 12 general choose within the 2023 Draft and NBA punters actually weren’t anticipating his transition into the league to go so easily.
He was tasked with an enormous problem on Tuesday night time when he was up in opposition to Anthony Davis, however he grabbed the chance with each arms.
The large man posted a powerful eight factors, eight rebounds, three blocks and two steals.
Vigorous regarded seamless beside Luka and in clutch time got here up with an enormous block and rebound which helped Dallas to a 127-125 victory over the Lakers.
Vigorous’s block and Rebound to seal the sport #mavs #mffl #dalvslal pic.twitter.com/CFqy2wauVK
— graysongrayson (@graysongrayson) December 13, 2023
“Take the age out – he’s a basketball participant,” Jason Kidd mentioned of Vigorous after the win. “He understands the way to play the sport. He’s very coachable. This was an ideal take a look at for him on a back-to-back after final night time’s sport and the minutes and the physicality. Then to show round going from Jaren Jackson to A.D. (Anthony Davis) and understanding he’s taking part in in opposition to two All-Stars – he’s going by way of it.
“However once more, I believe the belief – not simply of the coaches however his teammates – if Luka is being double-teamed, he’s additionally in search of Vigorous to attain or play make. It simply reveals how essential he’s to this crew however how good he actually is.”
This efficiency got here of the again off a monster effort in opposition to Memphis on Monday, the place Vigorous recorded 16 rebounds, which marked his seventh-double digit rebounding perfomance.
In 21 video games by way of 2023-24 thus far, Vigorous is averaging 9 factors, 8.1 rebounds and 1.6 blocks in 25.9 minutes.
He’s main the complete league on 73.7 p.c taking pictures from the sector and since Thanksgiving is taking pictures at 80.4 p.c.
Within the two video games he hasn’t participated in, the Mavs have misplaced, which is unlikely to be a coincidence.
Regardless of all this, Vigorous is simply ranked seventh on the NBA’s rookie ladder.
This rookie has the potential to utterly blossom this season and is a darkish horse to take out Rookie of the Yr.
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