Cavs rookie Collin Sexton began this season with quite a bit of expectations on his shoulders. Due to injuries in the team’s rotation, he was thrust into the starting lineup just 11 games in. He struggled to find a rhythm at first, as a lot of first-year players do. However, he’s managed to rebound in a big way, and he thinks it’s time for a bit of recognition.
In an interview with Chris Fedor of Cleveland.com. Sexton made it clear that he would like to be named to this season’s All-Rookie First Team:
“Have you watched the game? If you’re really into the game of basketball then you know I deserve it because of the growth I’ve shown and all the things I’ve overcome this year,” Sexton told Fedor. “I feel like I deserve to be on it.”
Sexton’s claim might sound a bit brash to some, but he does make a valid point.
Among his fellow rookies, Sexton ranks at or near the top in several statistical categories. He’s first in 10-point games (68), free-throw percentage (84.0%) and total minutes played (2,419). And when it comes to three-point shooting, he’s currently second among rookies with a 41 percent mark.
Sexton isn’t the only one who is making this case. Cavs head coach Larry Drew also feels that his young point guard should be named to the All-Rookie 1st Team:
“He should make our All-Rookie First Team,” Drew said last week. “He continues to make tremendous strides. I just want to see him continuing that pace — continue the course of being a leader.
“I don’t doubt that he’s going to play hard when he’s on the floor,” Drew added. It’s just who this kid is. He’s what you call a go-getter.”
Drew isn’t the only one taking notice of Sexton’s development. His teammates are watching as well:
“Leaps and bounds,” Larry Nance Jr. told Cleveland.com when asked about how much Sexton has grown since the first few months. “He came into a 3-point shooting league taking 10 pull-up 2s per game. And it’s like, ‘Alright that’s not going to cut it here.’ So now you see he’s taking and making a lot of 3s and we’ve seen his progression build from that. In almost every facet of his game he has gotten better.”
The Cavs won’t be competing in this season’s playoffs, but the team’s future certainly seems bright with Sexton on the roster. Let’s see if his progression continues.