After bursting onto the scene as a rookie during the 2023-24 NBA season, Warriors guard Brandin Podziemski has been rewarded for his outstanding efforts.
The 21-year-old has been named to the NBA All-Rookie First Team for the 2023-24 season, the league announced Monday. Podzemski is joined on the first team by Chet Holmgren of the Oklahoma City Thunder, Jaime Jaquez Jr. of the Miami Heat, Brandon Miller of the Charlotte Hornets and Victor Wembaneyama of the San Antonio Spurs.
Podzemski received 64 first-team votes and 33 second-team votes, edging out Dallas Mavericks rookie Derek Lively II as the first-team candidate by 52 points. The young guard becomes the 19th rookie in Warriors history to earn first-team honors.
The Warriors selected Podzemski with the 19th overall pick in the first round of the 2023 NBA Draft, and he quickly became Golden State's mainstay at the start of the regular season. When Klay Thompson was relegated to the bench, Podzemski ultimately earned a spot in manager Steve Kerr's starting lineup, breathing youthful fire onto the court as one of the league's best charges.
Podzemski finished his first NBA season averaging 9.1 points, 45.4 percent shooting, 5.8 rebounds, and 3.7 assists in 74 games. Ranked 8th among rookies in minutes played per game (25.7), 10th in points (9.2), 5th in assists (3.7), 6th in rebounds (5.8), and 3rd in 3-point percentage ( 38.5%). His 427 total rebounds also led the Warriors and were the most by a Golden State rookie since Joe Smith in 1995-96.
Trayce Jackson-Davis, whom the Warriors selected after Podzemski at No. 57, was not named to the All-Rookie first or second team. However, he received 42 votes for second place.
Jackson-Davis gave Golden State more athleticism and size this season, establishing himself as the team's starting center by season's end. He finished his first NBA season averaging 7.9 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 1.2 assists in 68 games with the Warriors.
Podzemski was certainly hoping his fellow Warriors rookies would make the All-Rookie team, but the young players this season have a lot to be proud of.
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