Isaac Okoro had a successful rookie season, ending it on a hot streak in which he averaged 15.7 points per game.
The Cleveland Cavaliers were enamored with Isaac Okoro’s defensive potential ahead of the 2020 NBA Draft and grabbed him with the No. 5 pick.
While his defense gave him the chance to become an immediate starter for the Cavs, his offensive game was still incredibly raw but had plenty of room to grow.
With his rookie season in the books, Okoro did just that, starting all 67 games he played in and was often guarding the opposing team’s top offensive player.
Okoro led all rookies with 32.4 minutes per game and averaged 9.6 points, 3.1 rebounds and 1.9 assists. Perhaps even more important, he ended the season on a hot streak, scoring in double figures in 12 of his final 13 points and scored a season-high 32 points against Phoenix. In those final 13 games he averaged 15.7 points, 4.2 rebounds and 2.5 assists.
His workload and development impressed Cavs head coach J.B. Bickerstaff
“I don’t know of any other rookie that accepted the challenges that he had to accept and come out on the other side unscathed,” Bickerstaff said. “Physically and emotionally, he had some daunting tasks and not one time did he balk at the opportunity. He kept going back, he kept showing up, and look at the improvement he’s made. You think about the things that he’s added to his game on the offensive end while not slowing down on that (defensive) end of the floor, so I think there’s no doubt in my mind that he should be on the All-Rookie team. Again, the challenges that he’s taken and the improvements that he’s made, I don’t know of any other rookies that have done that.”
Much like he did in his brief time at Auburn, Okoro also threw down some impressive dunks.
With his defensive prowess already established and his offensive game showing signs of improvement, Okoro could be well on his way to becoming a valuable two-way player the Cavaliers desperately need in their quest to return to the NBA playoffs, something they have not done without Lebron James since the 1997-1998 season.
“I feel like I had a big impact on this team,” Okoro said when asked about making the All-Rookie team. “I feel like I’m a player that goes out there every single night and guards the other team’s best player and also comes on the offensive end and contributes at that end, so I feel like I’m good at both ends of the floor, I’m contributing and I’m doing anything to help this team win.”
