Scottie Barnes isn’t done proving his Rookie of the Year case

No matter what some people say, the race for NBA Rookie of the Year isn’t over, especially if you ask Toronto Raptors star Scottie Barnes.

Barnes was in tears Monday night in a win over the Brooklyn Nets.

Barnes made his first 11 shots and finished the game with a season-high 28 points and 16 rebounds.

Scottie Barnes is the first rookie since Shaq to have at least 25 points, 15 rebounds and 5 steals in a game

He only missed 2 shots the whole match pic.twitter.com/k7jCXLY7uC

— SB Nation (@SBNation) March 1, 2022

As SB Nation points out, Barnes is the first rookie since Shaquille O’Neal to have at least 25 points, 15 rebounds and 5 steals in a game.

No matter how tough the competition gets, Barnes isn’t ready to give up the Rookie of the Year award just yet.

rookies of the year

With just a few weeks left in the NBA season, the fight for Rookie of the Year intensifies.

Some of the names in the running are Evan Mobley of the Cleveland Cavaliers, Josh Giddey of the Oklahoma City Thunder, Cade Cunningham of the Detroit Pistons, Franz Wagner of the Orlando Magic and Barnes of the Raptors.

This year has one of the most stacked and talented rookie classes in a long time and all of these players had amazing first seasons.

But in the end, there can only be one Rookie of the Year and it’s obvious that none of these guys give up easily.

Barnes’ name hasn’t been talked about as much as Mobley or Cunningham, but if he continues to have nights like Monday, he’ll continue to assert himself as the best rookie of the season.

It’s becoming increasingly clear that this year’s Rookie of the Year race is only heating up and with just a few weeks left, it’ll probably go all the way.