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Could Cam Reddish Win Rookie of the Month for January?

By Dallin Duffy

ATLANTA, GA - NOVEMBER 25: Cam Reddish #22 of the Atlanta Hawks gestures during the second quarter against the Minnesota Timberwolves at State Farm Arena on November 25, 2019 in Atlanta, Georgia. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GA - NOVEMBER 25: Cam Reddish #22 of the Atlanta Hawks gestures during the second quarter against the Minnesota Timberwolves at State Farm Arena on November 25, 2019 in Atlanta, Georgia. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images) /
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Taking a look at Cam Reddish‘s January that saw the rookie make major strides.

Cam Reddish has completely turned his rookie season around. The 10th overall pick of last year’s draft looked lost trying to translate to the pros, shooting 28% from the field throughout his first two months in the league. Since, Reddish has emerged as one of the NBA’s best rookies, and one of the best players on the Hawks.

While December was good, especially compared to the prior two months, he’s went to a new level in January.

In the first month of 2020, Reddish shot 41% from the field, 40% from three. He averaged 11.9 points, 3.9 rebounds and 1.1 steals per game in 14 appearances — nine of which were starts.

While he’s completely turned around his offensive game, he’s improved on the one thing he did well early on: defense. Cam has been a veteran-like defender all season, making a solid contribution on that side of the court nearly every night.

All this leads to the main question here: will he win January’s Rookie of the Month?

Kendrick Nunn of the Miami Heat won the Eastern Conference award in both November and December, and is probably Reddish’s biggest competition here as well. The undrafted rookie still put up big numbers, averaging 16.8 points on 50% shooting in January, which is actually a step up from December. He missed the Heat’s final three January games with an injury as well.

Nunn had practically no competition in those first two months, with the other top rookies residing in the Western Conference. Cam’s quick rise has to at least put him in the conversation, if not the lead.

NBA.com’s weekly Rookie Ladder placed Reddish in 4th place, under Ja Morant, Michael Porter, Jr, and Zion Williamson. Nunn was perched right under Reddish in 5th.

Next. Were any Hawks snubbed from Rising Stars game?. dark

Whether or not he wins the award (which is usually announced on the 2nd or 3rd of the month), Reddish should be applauded for turning around his season which looked disastrous in November. He should compete for every month to come.

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