Scottie Barnes Wins Rookie of the Year

Celebrate Toronto Raptors fans. Scottie Barnes is your 2021-22 KIA NBA Rookie of the Year.

Toronto Raptors‘ Scottie Barnes has won the 2021-22 NBA Rookie of the Year, sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) April 23, 2022

Well-deserved for the 20-year-old. Barnes is a huge reason why the Raptors overachieved and had a better than expected season that saw them finish with 48 wins and the no. 5 seed in the Eastern Conference.

In 74 games, Barnes averaged 15.3 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 3.5 assists, while shooting 49.2 percent from the field. After the break, his scoring went up to 17.1 points and shot better from the field at 53.3 percent.

The 6-foot-9 wing is the third rookie in Raptors franchise history to win the award, joining Vince Carter and Damon Stoudamire.

Barnes edged Cleveland Cavaliers big man Evan Mobley and Detroit Pistons guard Cade Cunningham, who both had strong campaigns for their respective squads as well.

Mobley was Barnes' biggest competition for the award since the Cavs rookie was also a big reason why Cleveland was in the mix for the playoffs this season.

Barnes received 48 first place votes and garnered a total of 378 points. Mobley was an extremely close second with 43 first place votes and 363 total points.

Barnes won Rookie of the Year by defying the pre-season expectations. Many people, from analysts and even Raptors fans alike, were shocked that Toronto picked him as the no. 4 pick over Gonzaga star Jalen Suggs.

Ultimately, he proved everyone wrong by becoming the best rookie of his class. Barnes has shown his maturity and versatility on both ends of the floor for the Raptors all year long and he is only going to get better. The future is definitely bright in Toronto.

And for more good news for Raps fans: Barnes is playing in Game 4 versus Philadelphia in an effort to keep the Toronto's season alive.