got milk? Rookie Power Rankings: April 15, 2003

[大rodman91™]

By Randy Kim

With the 2002-03 season coming to a close, it's time to take one final look at this year's impressive rookie class.

The final rankings found below are not based on last week's games, but are based on the entire season. Keep in mind, this is just one person's rankings, and have no impact on this season's got milk? Rookie of the Year award.

Also, check out the bottom of the page, for a list of more rookies who deserve recognition for their play this season.

Here are this season's final rookie rankings:

got milk? Rookie Power Rankings

NO. 1 :: YAO MING, C, HOUSTON ROCKETS

Stats: 80 GP, 13.5 ppg, 8.2 rpg, .503 FG%, 1.74 bpg, .807 FT%, 29.1 mpg Noteworthy: Led all rookies in blocks Notes: Tough to differentiate between Yao and Amare, but Yao gets the nod for having so much of the game flow through him ... While it might not show up in the stat sheet, Yao's passing and feel for the game are unheard of for a player his size ... Already a complete player, and wildly popular to boot ... Could be one of the game's dominant big men for years to come.

NO. 2 :: AMARE STOUDEMIRE, PF, PHOENIX SUNS

Stats: 80 GP, 13.4 ppg, 8.9 rpg, .469 FG%, 1.05 bpg, 31.4 mpg Noteworthy: Led all rookies in rebounding Notes: The surprise of the year? Went from the ninth pick to many people's top rookie ... His game is rooted in athleticism, but natural talent aside, Stoudemire just plays harder than most and relishes a challenge ... Made his arrival official with 38 points and 14 rebounds against Kevin Garnett and the Timberwolves on Dec. 30 ... The sky's the limit for Amare.

NO. 3 :: CARON BUTLER, F, MIAMI HEAT

Stats: 77 GP, 15.5 ppg, 5.1 rpg, 2.7 apg, 1.78 spg, .324 3P%, 36.8 mpg Noteworthy: Led all rookies in scoring, minutes and steals Notes: Yes, the injury-plagued Heat struggled this season, but it's hard to say any rookie meant more to his team than Butler did to Miami ... Was asked to do it all for the rebuilding Heat, and most nights Butler delivered ... Most encouraging sign is that Butler's best stretch came late in the season, when he shot better than .500 from the field (76-for-134, or .567) over nine-straight games from March 18-April 2.

NO. 4 :: CARLOS BOOZER, F, CLEVELAND CAVALIERS

Stats: 80 GP, 10.0 ppg, 7.5 rpg, .538 FG%, .770 FT%, 25.3 mpg Noteworthy: Led all rookies in field-goal percentage Notes: Another surprise rookie power forward, arguably a bigger one than Amare because Boozer was taken in the second round ... After seeing only spot duty for first three weeks of the season, Boozer's soft touch and tough rebounding made it tough to keep him off the floor ... His soft hands, tough defense and strong low-post moves make him the prototypical four ... Has third-highest field-goal percentage in the NBA.

NO. 5 :: NENE HILARIO, F, DENVER NUGGETS
	Stats: 78 GP, 10.6 ppg, 6.2 rpg, 1.58 spg, .521 FG%, 28.5 mpg Notes: Another athletic rookie big man ... Hilario's quick hands make him one of the game's top young defenders ... Brazilian rookie also has a very soft touch for such a strong player ... Needs to improve his turnovers and free-throw shooting, but this will come with experience ... A player the Nuggets can build around.

NO. 6 :: GORDAN GIRICEK, G, ORLANDO MAGIC
	Stats: 75 GP, 12.4 ppg, 3.1 rpg, .348 3P%, .820 FT%, 28.3 mpg Notes: Most weren't surprised by Giricek's outside shooting, but his athleticism was a big bonus ... Midseason trade from Memphis to Orlando certainly helped his development, as he got regular minutes with Magic ... A better defender than he gets credit for, and complements T-Mac very well.

NO. 7 :: DREW GOODEN, F, ORLANDO MAGIC
	Stats: 69 GP, 12.5 ppg, 6.5 rpg, 26.7 mpg Notes: Packaged with Giricek in trade from Memphis to Orlando. Move couldn't come soon enough for this lithe, athletic power forward ... Has excellent low-post moves, and a relentless rebounder ... Injuries have slowed him late in the season, but he's a blessing for undersized Magic squad ... Could emerge as one of the East's top big men.

NO. 8 :: JAY WILLIAMS, G, CHICAGO BULLS

Stats: 74 GP, 9.5 ppg, 2.6 rpg, 4.6 apg, 1.15 spg, 26.1 mpg Noteworthy: Led all rookies in assists; only rookie to notch triple-double Notes: Erratic season is ending on a very positive note for No. 2 pick (averaging 14.8 ppg over last six games) ... Bulls spent much of season trying to figure out who was their point guard of the future, Jamal Crawford or Williams, when it turns out the two work well as a tandem ... Although Williams is undersized for the two, he's free to look for his own shot, which might be the best role for him.

NO. 9 :: EMANUEL GINOBILI, G, SAN ANTONIO SPURS
	Stats: 68 GP, 7.6 ppg, 2.3 rpg, 2.0 apg, 1.41 spg, .340 3P%, 20.9 mpg Notes: His numbers aren't the most impressive, but the Spurs couldn't be any happier with Manu's development ... Slashing scorer was expected to emerge as a solid offensive option, but his stifling perimeter defense has been a huge plus ... Played a big part in helping the Spurs win the top spot in the West.

NO. 10 :: J.R. BREMER, G, BOSTON CELTICS

Stats: 63 GP, 8.3 ppg, 2.3 rpg, 2.5 apg, .354 3P%, 23.6 mpg Noteworthy: Led all rookies in three-pointers made and percentage Notes: While Bremer is finishing the season in a bench role, he spent much of the season as the Celtics' starting point guard ... Bremer was signed as an undrafted rookie, and didn't see regular action until January, at which point he helped Celtics reel off 10 wins in 15 games ... A deadly three-point shooter; scored 20-plus nine times.

Honorable Mention:

Mike Batiste (6.4 ppg, 3.4 rpg), for quiet, yet solid, contributions in Memphis

Rasual Butler (7.3 ppg, 2.6 rpg), for being more than "the other Butler" in Miami

Juan Dixon (27 points on March 1), for scoring when needed

Mike Dunleavy Jr. (81 GP), for showing steady all-around development

Melvin Ely and Chris Wilcox, for even more rookie athleticism in the low post

Reggie Evans (6.6 rpg), for defense and rebounding

Junior Harrington and Vincent Yarbrough, for starting in the same backcourt

Casey Jacobsen (70 GP), for fewer shots and bigger contributions

Marko Jaric (7.3 ppg, 2.4 rpg, 2.9 apg, 1.46 spg), for having a complete game so early in his career

Mehmet Okur (37-for-110 3P's), for being a big man with three-point range

Smush Parker (65 GP), for being another rookie surprise for the Cavs

Dajuan Wagner (13.4 ppg), for showing promise as a scorer

Copyright 2003 NBA Media Ventures, LLC. All rights reserved. No portion of NBA.com may be duplicated, redistributed or manipulated in any form. By accessing any information beyond this page, you agree to abide by the NBA.com Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. Employment opportunities