Now that’s how you turn a turnover into instant points. Scottie Barnes wasted no time after he came up with a steal against the New York Knicks and utilized excellent court vision to spot Gary Trent Jr. streaking up the floor. Barnes decided the time was now as he wound up and fired a bullet up the court to hit his teammate in stride for a stylish slam. The reigning Rookie of the Year put together another solid all-around performance for the Toronto Raptors with 19 points, seven rebounds, six assists and two blocks in the 125-116 win on January 22, 2023. 

Scottie Barnes

Scottie Barnes laces fullcourt dime down floor to streaking teammate

Scottie Barnes’ ability to impact a game on multiple fronts is what won him the NBA Rookie of the Year award. In Year 2, it’s clear that this is still very much the case. Competing against the Detroit Pistons, Barnes takes a pass in stride while driving into the lane, then drops off a slick one-handed bounce pass while airborne to a cutting Dalano Banton. Barnes’ eight points, five rebounds, four assists, one steal and one block made a major impact in Toronto’s 115-111 victory on November 14, 2022.

Scottie Barnes leaps through paint to throw no-look bounce pass

It takes a special blend of talent, athleticism and confidence to throw down while running at full speed, draped in defenders. Scottie Barnes has that and more. Positioned to break out after a long rebound on one end of the floor, the standout Toronto Raptors rookie pushes the pace from baseline to baseline then unleashes a poster slam through fast-moving traffic. Barnes finished with 16 points, eight rebounds and six dimes in the January 17, 2022 contest.

Scottie Barnes races floor to throw down contested dunk on Heat

Give Jonathan Kuminga an inch of open space and be prepared to live with the consequences. As soon as the Golden State Warriors forward sees an opening in the lane he’s on the move, blowing right by a pair of Memphis Grizzlies defenders before finishing with an emphatic throwdown. Kuminga’s 13 points on 5 of 6 shooting, two rebounds and four assists were critical contributions to his team’s nail-biting 122-120 victory on January 25, 2023.

Jonathan Kuminga

Jonathan Kuminga seizes opening and skies to the rim

Bones Hyland was named to the NBA All-Rookie Second Team during the 2021-22 season and he’s already raised his game out of the gates in Year 2. The productive Denver Nuggets reserve spins methodically around Golden State Warriors guard Jordan Poole before whipping a one-handed pass to rookie teammate Christian Braun for a layup. Hyland’s energy — as well as his 14 points and five assists — helped propel the Nuggets to an impressive 128-123 victory on October 21, 2022.

Bones Hyland

Bones Hyland attacks through transition with ball on a string

Scottie Barnes is a problem. The Toronto Raptors rookie flashes his do-it-all talent in this possession, taking his defender off the dribble, getting to his spot inside the paint and floating a lefty finish that finds the bottom of the net. Barnes finished with 12 points and nine boards in his NBA debut in the October 20, 2021 contest.

Scottie Barnes spins into the paint for hook shot in his first NBA contest

Making an impact on a playoff-hopeful squad is no easy feat for a rookie — just don’t tell that to Golden State Warriors forward Jonathan Kuminga. In his NBA debut, the 7th overall pick in the 2021 NBA Draft, catches a behind-the-back bounce pass from teammate Juan Toscano-Anderson and steps back behind the arc to launch a confident three for his first-career bucket. Kuminga walked away with a Warriors win and the game ball on October 30, 2021.

Jonathan Kuminga catches and shoots triple in first NBA contest

After playing just eight minutes in the 2022 NBA Finals, Jonathan Kuminga had unfinished business when the Boston Celtics came to town. The second-year Golden State Warriors forward shows that persistence pays off in a one-on-one battle down low with Jayson Tatum, as Kuminga twists and pivots his way closer to the basket. When Tatum dislodges the ball, Kuminga’s motor keeps running as he scoops it up before going out of bounds and finishes the second-chance opportunity with a dunk. Kuminga tallied 14 points on 6 of 9 shooting while adding five rebounds and three assists in Golden State’s 123-107 win on December 10, 2022.

Jonathan Kuminga battles in paint, leaps above defender for slam

In only his first NBA season, Jonathan Kuminga is already acknowledged as one of the game's most electric finishers at the rim. Here, Kuminga snatches a full-court heave pass then proceeds to rise up and jackhammer a powerful slam over and around the defender. The Golden State Warriors rookie dropped a team-high 22 points and grabbed five rebounds in a 130-92 victory over the Dallas Mavericks on January 25, 2022.

Jonathan Kuminga gathers footing off catch, drops hammer dunk on defender

For most rookies, it takes time to find their offensive flow at the NBA level. It hasn't taken Denver Nuggets guard Bones Hyland much time to prove that he isn't like most rookies. In the midst of displaying the ability to score from anywhere, Hyland showcases his off-ball smarts, cutting through the lane to take a bounce pass and working a nifty spin move and layup all in one motion. The rising star stood out on the biggest stage in the 133-96 win over the Los Angeles Lakers, with 27 points, 10 rebounds, six triples and two steals on January 15, 2022.

Bones Hyland chases pass on backdoor cut, spins into bucket

Despite sharing the floor with All-Stars on a nightly basis, Golden State Warriors rookie Jonathan Kuminga has shown that his athleticism and two-way potential aren't to be overlooked. Rotating over from the weak side, the 2021 lottery pick takes to the skies to send a Brooklyn Nets layup the other way for a highlight rejection. Kuminga did a little bit of everything, putting up seven points, six rebounds and one block in a 117-99 win on November 16, 2021.

Jonathan Kuminga tracks driver, demolishes shot attempt

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Scottie Barnes

Scottie Barnes

Scottie Barnes

Jonathan Kuminga

Bones Hyland

Scottie Barnes

Jonathan Kuminga

Jonathan Kuminga

Jonathan Kuminga

Jonathan Kuminga

Bones Hyland

Jonathan Kuminga