Dereck Lively II

With the entire world tuned in, largely to experience the debut of the first-year center on the opposite side, Dereck Lively II decided to use NBA history’s second-most watched Opening Night to make an eye-opening introduction of his own. Immediately in perfect synergy with his All-Star backcourt, Lively used the type of two-man cohesion in the pick-and-roll that would become a staple over his 55-game rookie campaign. Overwhelming the San Antonio Spurs’ frontline with length and athleticism, the 2023 No. 12 selection worked alley-oop finishes, acrobatic across-the-rim finishes, and perfectly-timed second chance opportunities to alter the game’s trajectory. Reaching out to snag his chance at the record books, Lively ignited for 16 points, 10 rebounds, one steal, one block, and a game-high +20 plus-minus in the victory on October 25, 2023, becoming just NBA history’s second-ever player ever to record a 15-point, 10-rebound game on at least 85 percent shooting in their NBA debut. With the groundwork laid, Lively catapulted that into a season in which he produced league history’s most efficient shooting percentage for a rookie (74.7), and a 35-20 record for the Dallas Mavericks in games he participated in.

Three-Star Rookie