SGA and Shamet Named to All-Rookie Second Team
By Ethan Smith
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Landry Shamet had solid rookie seasons for the LA Clippers and their play was rewarded with spots on the All-Rookie Second Team.
The All-Rookie teams were announced and LA Clippers guards Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Landry Shamet were named to the All-Rookie Second Team along with Cavs guard Collin Sexton, Knicks center Mitchell Robinson and Hawks guard Kevin Huerter.
As shown, SGA and Shamet were behind Luka Doncic, Trae Young, Deandre Ayton, Jaren Jackson Jr. and Marvin Bagley III, all players who were not featured on playoff teams this season.
SGA was a standout for the Clippers this season, being traded on draft night with Charlotte for Miles Bridges.
The Kentucky product averaged 10.8 PPG, 2.8 RPG and 3.3 APG while shooting an efficient 47.6-percent from the field. He ranked ninth among rookies in scoring and third among rookies in assists while helping lead the Clippers to the eighth spot in the playoffs in starting much of the regular season.
His standout game that got national attention came against the Warriors in game four in the first round when he scored 25 points in a tough loss to the defending champions. SGA ramped it up in the playoffs an increase in points per and still shooting efficiently at 46-percent.
SGA was a late round lottery pick and was not expected to have such a big role so early but showcased his unique playmaking and scoring ability for Doc Rivers and company.
Meanwhile for Shamet, he arrived in LA just before the deadline via the Tobias Harris trade and was a surprise addition after many believed the Sixers would hang on to the young guard.
The 26th pick in the 2018 Draft out of Wichita State averaged 9.1 PPG throughout the duration of the season with his career high points in a game for the Clippers coming in at 21 against the New York Knicks back in March.
Shamet quickly gelled into his role for the Clippers and continued his success into the postseason, averaging 7.7 PPG in the six games against the Warriors.
The young guard has a knack for putting the ball in the basket and has time to develop a crazy jumpshot and become a talented scorer alongside SGA and possible future stars in LA.
These rookies showed out and played huge roles in the Clippers playoff run and overachieved in the regular season despite losing players via trade and appearing to tank into the lottery.
Congratulations to SGA and Shamet on the accolade and for more to come in a hopeful future in Los Angeles.