Michael Carter-Williams still a strong NBA Rookie of the Year candidate

Michael Carter-Williams Michael Carter-Williams is the early NBA rookie of the year front-runner. Credit: Getty Images

There was no logical way Michael Carter-Williams could have kept up the pace he was on to start his rookie season with the 76ers.

After winning the Eastern Conference Player of the Week award in early November, the first time a rookie had started his career with the honor since Shaquille O’Neal in 1992, Carter-Williams has understandably cooled off. After missing four game with a bruised left foot, Carter-Williams has averaged 16.5 points, 6.5 assists and 5.3 rebounds per game. Not shabby for a first-year player, but nothing like the 20.7 point, 9.0 assist, 4.7 rebound averages he had put up in the first three games of his career.

“He gets it,” new Sixers head coach Brett Brown said of Carter-Williams earlier this season. “I feel like he’s grounded. We keep him grounded. He helps himself be grounded. It is early days and grossly exaggerated at this very early stage, but there’s no denying he’s a talent and I’m glad he’s mine.”

Carter-Williams’ maturity garnered some attention off the court as well this week as news came out that nearly his entire rookie salary is being deposited into a trust fund he can’t touch for three years. Instead, the 22-year-old guard is living off of endorsement deals.