Denver Nuggets first-year center Bol Bol will reportedly still be eligible for the Rookie of the Year award in the 2020-21 season even if he plays in the NBA restart in Orlando.
The 20-year-old big man made quite the impression in his debut, as he registered 16 points, 10 rebounds and six blocks against the Washington Wizards in a scrimmage last week. With that said, he could see some playing time in the NBA bubble, particularly in the seeding games.
Any player who makes his NBA debut inside the bubble once games begin Thursday — like Denver Nuggets big man Bol Bol — will remain eligible for next year's Rookie of the Year award, league sources tell ESPN.
— Tim Bontemps (@TimBontemps) July 28, 2020
The NBA announced last week that end-of-season awards would only count between the beginning of the season and the league's suspension back in March due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Bol, who was sidelined with an injury for the duration of the 2019-20 campaign, only joined the Nuggets in Orlando.
Bol's solid performance in Orlando could shape him as the front runner for the rookie distinction in 2020-21, particularly since the 2020 draft class isn't that strong. He isn't expected to get a lot of playing time in the postseason, but the experience of getting to play the NBA-level of basketball should be beneficial for him as he prepares for his first full campaign.
The Nuggets center has shown flashes of brilliance in the NBA bubble so far, so his improvement is certainly something worth watching in the bubble and in the next season.
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