7 Reasons Andrew Wiggins Should Win NBA Rookie Of The Year

In what's been an otherwise lost season for the Minnesota Timberwolves, it's their young talent that's offering a glimmer of hope for the future.

Through 52 games, Minnesota has an 11-41 record. That's the second-worst mark in the league after getting off to an 8-38 start. That stretch included a losing streak of 15 games. Losing is nothing new to Timberwolves fans. They've endured 10 seasons without making the playoffs, but, once healthy, have also provided a look at what they can be in the future.

Ricky Rubio, Nikola Pekovic and Kevin Martin all missed significant time with injuries. While that led to many losing nights, the Timberwolves and their fans got a good look at Andrew Wiggins. The 19-year-old rookie from Canada has shown he has the potential to be a star in the league, and sooner rather than later. Here's why Wiggins can and should win the NBA's Rookie of the Year Award when the season is over.

Wiggins, At 19, Has Been Timberwolves' Best Player

It's pretty rare for a rookie to become a starter in the NBA, but Wiggins has started every game with the Timberwolves in his first professional season. He's living up to the hype, averaging more than 15 points and four rebounds per game. He hasn't been afraid of the moment, meeting lofty expectations for a teenager.

His Main Competition, Jabari Parker, Tore ACL

Jabari Parker departed for the NBA after one year at Duke. He was drafted No. 2 overall behind Wiggins and immediately became an impact player for the Milwaukee Bucks. He was averaging more than 12 points and five rebounds per game and was Wiggins' biggest threat in the Rookie of the Year race. But his season ended with a torn ACL in January. At this point, it's Wiggins' race to lose.

Named Western Conference Rookie Of The Month 3 Straight Times

Amid a rough season with injuries and mounting losses, Wiggins has been the consummate pro. He became the first Minnesota player ever to win the Western Conference Rookie of the Month Award three straight months. He won it in November, December and January, and likely will win it again before the season is over. His focus has always been on improving as a player. Never once has he complained about the team, the franchise or losing.

Still Contributing With Injured Players Back

When Rubio, Martin and Pekovic all came back from injuries, the question was how would Wiggins fit back in after becoming the team's best player. Not much changed as he's still one of the team's top scoring options and has become even better with Rubio and other athletic players around him. If anything, he's becoming more aggressive and confident as the team gets healthy around him.

Would Be First Minnesota Player To Win Award

The Timberwolves have had plenty of potential stars as first-round draft picks. There's Isaiah Rider, Donyell Marshall, Kevin Garnett, Brandon Roy (traded), O.J. Mayo (traded) and Derrick Williams to name a few. But throughout the history of the Timberwolves franchise, Minnesota has never had a player named Rookie of the Year. (The Minneapolis Lakers had one in the 1958-59 season: Elgin Baylor.) At this point, it would be a bigger surprise if Wiggins didn't win it.

Has Played, Started Every Game This Season

Basketball is like any sport, you have to have a little bit of luck with your health to have a successful career. If the Timberwolves didn't have bad luck with health the past few years, they would have no luck at all. It's a shame Parker got hurt, it would have been a great race to see Parker and Wiggins have to win the Rookie of the Year. Wiggins, assuming he stays healthy and in Minnesota, will be a franchise player. It's only a good sign that he's played, and started, every game this season.

Team's Second-Leading Scorer As Rookie

It's one thing for a 19-year-old kid to be a starter as a rookie on his team; it's entirely different when that player is your second-leading scorer. At 15.4 points per game, Wiggins is behind only Kevin Martin, who averages more than 20 points per game. Though that's a skewed number since Martin missed extended time with an injury. He's embraced a role that most rookies wouldn't be able to handle. And he's scored in a variety of ways. He can score in the post, shoot from the perimeter and even take a defender off the dribble. He's also able to use his defensive ability and turn it into offense, whether it's for his own benefit or for a teammate.

It will be fun to celebrate when Wiggins wins the award. After all, when your team is in the middle of another lost season, fans need something, anything to keep the Timberwolves relevant.