Projecting the 2015-2016 NBA All-Rookie Team

Forward – Karl-Anthony Towns, Minnesota Timberwolves

The number one overall pick lands on the first team, and all is right with the world.

To be fair, there have been some seasons in recent memory in which the top overall pick (ahem, Anthony Bennett) was not a lock for inclusion here, but Towns is a stud by any description. It is somewhat ironic that Towns was able to become a household name after posting somewhat pedestrian offensive numbers as a college freshman, but the viewing public proved to be smarter than you’d think by observing Towns with an open mind as an elite defender who could have put up huge numbers if not for Kentucky’s deployment strategy.

As a rookie, there is, once again, some question about just how much Towns will play. Minnesota has a deep frontcourt, and while none of their assets (apart from Nikola Pekovic) are markedly better than Towns even right away, there could be temptation to bring him along slowly. Still, Towns has the size and talent to make a mark defensively from moment one, and his offensive versatility (including a nice jump shot) will help to keep him on the floor alongside fellow number one pick Andrew Wiggins.

Choosing Towns, as many have, for Rookie of the Year honors is likely a misguided choice, simply because the opportunity and the resulting statistics won’t be there. However, he was the top-rated player in his class for a reason, and that talent is enough to make him a sure-fire choice for first team honors.

Next: Jahlil Okafor