Kevin Durant likes what he sees so far from the NBA's freshman class.
When asked which rookies have caught his attention so far this year, Durant briefly hesitated before mounting his argument with all the confidence of Markelle Fultz's Summer League hesi pull-up jimbo.
"I like OG Anunoby from Toronto," Durant proclaimed. "He plays hard. He can shoot it. He rebounds well. He's really going to be really good in the future."
The Raptors rookie logged eight points, four rebounds, two assists, and a plus-8 in 18 minutes off the bench against the Warriors back in October - not bad for just the fourth NBA game from the 23rd overall pick.
Since moving into the starting lineup in place of injured Norman Powell, Anunoby has averaged 9.3 points per game on 57.7 percent shooting. The Raptors have enjoyed a four-game win streak in that span.
Anunoby wasn't the only rookie who has caught Durant's eye so far. The reigning Finals MVP also cited the usual suspects - blue-chip 2017 draftees Lonzo Ball, Jayson Tatum, and De'Aaron Fox, as well as the Philadelphia 76ers' runaway Rookie of the Year front-runner.
"Ben Simmons - I don't even know if you want to call him a rookie because he's been around the league for a year already," Durant said. "But it's his first NBA action and he's playing phenomenal basketball."
