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Charlotte Hornets: Malik Monk wants to be Rookie of the Year

By Jerry Stephens

Jun 22, 2017; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Malik Monk (Kentucky) shows off the inside of his suit jacket as he is introduced as the number eleven overall pick to the Charlotte Hornets in the first round of the 2017 NBA Draft at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 22, 2017; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Malik Monk (Kentucky) shows off the inside of his suit jacket as he is introduced as the number eleven overall pick to the Charlotte Hornets in the first round of the 2017 NBA Draft at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports /
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Malik Monk has high hopes for his rookie season with the Charlotte Hornets.

Immediately after he was drafted by the Charlotte Hornets, Malik Monk interviewed with the media. One quote that stood out was when he said that “I’m trying to be Rookie of the Year.” The first round pick added that he wants to “get to the Rookie Game and All-Star Weekend.”

Making the Rising Stars Challenge shouldn’t be too difficult for Monk but winning Rookie of the Year is a whole other test. It won’t be easy but if Malik can get ample playing time under Steve Clifford, he could have the opportunity to be in the running for ROY.

Monk will be up against some stiff competition in Markelle Fultz, Lonzo Ball, Jayson Tatum, Josh Jackson, De’Aaron Fox and Dennis Smith Jr. Not to mention that the 2017-18 season will be the first for Ben Simmons after he missed all of last year. Even though Malik isn’t the favorite, he shouldn’t be counted out just yet.

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Although many don’t expect the Rookie of the Year to come from a late lottery pick, Michael Carter-Williams showed that the 11th overall pick could do so back in 2014. Jamaal Wilkes in 1974-75 is the only other No. 11 selection to win the award. Actually, in the last 30 years, MCW is the only picked outside of the top-10 to win ROY.

According to Bovada, Monk has a 16/1 chance to win Rookie of the Year. That ties him with Jonathan Isaac and Dennis Smith for the seventh-best odds to be named ROY. Lonzo Ball is the odds on favorite (5/2), followed by Philadelphia 76ers’ teammates Ben Simmons (3/1) and Markelle Fultz (5/1).

Even though Malik probably won’t win Rookie of the Year, it’s good to see him setting such high goals. He will likely be Charlotte’s sixth man to start the season which could be the perfect role for the high-scoring shooting guard. It is unclear how many minutes he will get but he should get enough of an opportunity to at least be in the running for the award.

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Rich Cho did say that the No. 11 pick would contribute right away so that probably means Monk will get sufficient minutes to make his impact felt. Only time will tell if Malik can actually become Rookie of the Year and play i the Rising Stars Challenge during All-Star Weekend.

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