Basketball pro Franz Wagner of the Orlando Magic only played a supporting role in the vote for the best “Rookie of the Year” in the NBA. The award went to Toronto Raptors’ Scottie Barnes.
Wagner ended up fifth in the election with a total of two votes. The 20-year-old Barnes prevailed at the top of the voting with a total of 378 points against Evan Mobley from the Cleveland Cavaliers (363).
The 15 point difference is the narrowest lead since the voting system was introduced in the 2002/03 season.
Barnes was selected fourth overall by the Toronto Raptors in last year’s draft. The flexible forward averaged 15.3 points per game in his debut season and grabbed 7.5 rebounds. The super rookie is currently playing with his Raptors in the NBA playoffs.
The 20-year-old Wagner clearly missed this with Orlando. The Florida team ended the season with the second-worst record of any team. Wagner averaged 15.2 points and 4.5 rebounds in 79 games in his freshman season.