Who Will Be Awarded Rookie Of The Year?

Only a week ago the NBA season began and already many rookies are showing the world what they are all about. The 08-09 rookie draft was filled with lots of potential and confidence, and these players are proving they have what it takes to be in the NBA. Here is a list of rookies that have begun to shine early on in the NBA 08-09 season.

1. Derrick Rose (CHI, PG)- Rose is the starting point-guard for the talented bulls squad and he looks like he has found a home already in Chi-town. Rose is already averaging 17.3 points per game along with 3.5 assists and 4.5 boards. Rose has a lot more potential and room for improvement. He will definitely be one of the top candidates for Rookie of the Year.

2. Michael Beasley (MIA, PF)- Beasley has proved already this season that he knows how to put the ball in the hoop. His rebounding ability will improve greatly throughout the entire season and if he is determined, he can form into a double-double kind of guy. Averaging 17 points and close to six boards with one block in 32 minutes per game in only three games this season, you can expect his numbers to continue to rise. He will be another rookie of the year candidate.

3. Marc Gasol (MEM, C)- In four games Gasol is averaging a double double with 13 points, 10 rebounds, 1.8 blocks, and 1.5 assists. He is showing signs of becoming a dominate center in the league already. The man is an animal and will improve tremendously as the season goes on. If your fantasy team is in need of a Center, Gasol is a great fantasy player and will give you consistent points, rebounds, and blocks night in and night out.

4. Mario Chalmers (MIA, PG)- During Miami Heat's first game of the season in Madison Square Garden, Chalmers put up 17 points, eight assists, and seven rebounds in 36 minutes of play. Chalmers made a statement in the first game that he has the capability to be the starting point-guard for the Heat this season. With Wade, Beasley, and Marion on his side, Mario will easily be able to dish out at least six assists per game this entire season.

5. Jason Thompson (SAC, PF)- Drafted 14th pick in the first round of the draft, Thompson is looking like one of the best rookies in the game so far this season. His toughness and 6"11, 250lb physique enables him to grab every single rebound he desires. Thompson is averaging 23 minutes per game so far this season with 14.3 points, seven rebounds, and two assists in only four games.

For now, Thompson is the back-up PF to the old veteran Mikki Moore; but when head coach Reggie Theus thinks Thompson is ready for the starting job, FANTASY PLAYERS WATCH OUT! Thompson has the ability to form into a 20 and 10 guy if he gets the time to play. Jason is a surprise top candidate for the Rookie of the Year award.

6. O.J. Mayo (MEM, SG)- After absolutely exploding during pre-season, Mayo has come back into his regular form. The kid has a lot of potential with room for improvement. In four games this season he is averaging a rookie high 39 minutes per game with 14 points, 4.8 rebounds, 1.8 assists, and 1.3 steals. He is getting the chance to play a boat-load of minutes this season along with shooting the ball as much as he wants.

Mayo's FG% is already at a low 39 percent along with a horrible 3P% at 28 percent. Mayo's scoring will rise throughout the season and if he can control how much he shoots per game, he will be one of the top rookie candidates for Rookie of the Year.

7. Rudy Fernandez (POR, SG)- Fernandez is having a solid rookie campaign so far averaging 14 points, 3.7 rebounds, 1.3 assists, one steal, and two three pointers made per game in 3 games. There is a lot of young talent on the Blazers roster and when all the team's players are healthy, Rudy's minutes per game (27 mpg) will drop to around 20-22 mpg.

Projections: The top three Rookie of the Year Candidates will be:

Derrick Rose (CHI, PG)

Michael Beasley (MIA, PF)

O.J. Mayo (MEM, SG)