Andrew Wiggins Named MVP for 2015 USA vs. World Rising Stars Challenge
Their record may not show it, but the Minnesota Timberwolves are headed in the right direction. Their future was on display Friday night during the 2015 Rising Stars Challenge, with rookie sensation Andrew Wiggins winning the game's MVP award by scoring 22 points and adding six rebounds and four assists in the World's 121-112 win.
No image better encapsulates what Wiggins did in this game than the one released by the NBA on TNT's Twitter:
Even though there was plenty of competition for the MVP award—notably from Utah's Rudy Gobert for his 18-point, 12-rebound performance—Wiggins' combination of dazzling plays and efficiency on offense made him hard to overlook for the honor.
It also helps when you are throwing down big dunks like this one:
There were plenty of things to say about Wiggins' performance in the Rising Stars Challenge, but nothing more succinct and apt than the opinion of Champs Sports on Twitter:
Trading for Kevin Love seemed like a good idea over the summer, but the Cavaliers would look much different right now with Wiggins in their lineup. He got off to a slow start in his debut year, yet he's averaging 15.2 points and 4.3 rebounds per game now.
According to John Hollinger's player ratings for ESPN.com, Wiggins leads all rookies in value added (64.4) and is tied for the most estimated wins added (2.1). Not bad for a player who it seemed would need a longer development leash than most No. 1 picks.
As Joe Giglio of WFAN 660 Radio wrote on Twitter, Wiggins could be on the fast track to stardom:
Wiggins' off-court presence isn't full of charisma or exuberance, but he told Marc J. Spears of Yahoo Sports that this is by design:
"I just keep to myself," Wiggins said. "I matured at a young age. If someone wasn't in my life before, they don't need to be in my life now. … I am cool with people around me, but I am not open to new friends."
The good news is that Wiggins' ability on the court doesn't require him to have a big personality. He has everything a franchise could hope for in a young star: passion, drive and a hunger to get better. All the stats suggest he's getting there with plenty of room to grow.
For now, Wiggins can take comfort in where his game is at with this MVP award. He also provides hope for a Minnesota franchise that has been looking for it. There's a long way to go before the playoffs are in reach for the Timberwolves, but they've already cleared the hurdle of finding a franchise centerpiece.
Imagine what the 19-year-old can do once he reaches his 20s.
