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Malcolm Brogdon

Week 9 NBA Rookie of the Year race: Bucks' Brogdon climbing

AJ Neuharth-Keusch
USA TODAY Sports
Milwaukee Bucks guard Malcolm Brogdon (13) drives against Chicago Bulls forward Nikola Mirotic (44) during the second half at United Center.

USA TODAY Sports’ top three candidates for the 2016-17 NBA Rookie of the Year award (note: From Dec. 27 through Sunday; week shortened because of the holidays).

Also receiving votes: Buddy Hield, Brandon Ingram, Willy Hernangomez, Jamal Murray

Power rankings: Rockets, Jazz continue to rise

► MVP race: Harden holds steady, Westbrook right behind

3. Dario Saric, Philadelphia 76ers

Saric entered 2017 riding one of the best three-game streaks of his career, averaging 13.0 points on 45.4% shooting, 8.0 rebounds and 2.6 assists. On the season, the 22-year-old forward ranks second among rookies in scoring (9.5 points per game) and rebounds (5.9) and third in three-pointers made (1.3).

2. Malcolm Brogdon, Milwaukee Bucks

Brogdon continued to climb his way up the rookie ladder this week thanks to a 15-point, 12-assist, 11-rebound triple-double — the first of his career — in a win against the Chicago Bulls on Saturday. What’s more, he played a career-high 39 minutes in the game, trailing only Giannis Antetokounmpo and Jabari Parker. He ended December averaging 9.1 points, 4.8 assists and 1.1 steals while shooting 51.8% from the field and 50.% from beyond the arc, emerging as a key member of a young and talented Bucks squad.

1. Joel Embiid, Philadelphia 76ers

Embiid only played in one game in the shortened week but still managed 23 points, six rebounds, five assists, three blocks and two steals in 29 minutes. He’s averaging 18.9 points, 7.3 rebounds and 2.4 assists on the season — numbers that lead all rookies. Surprised? We didn’t think so. He goes up against the reigning Rookie of the Year Karl-Anthony Towns for the second time this season on Tuesday. The first time they met, Towns did this:

You may want to tune in.

List of voters: USA TODAY Sports' Jeff ZillgittSam AmickKevin SpainAJ Neuharth-Keusch and Michael Singer; The (Memphis) Commercial Appeal's Ronald Tillery; Detroit Free Press' Vince Ellis; Indianapolis Star's Nate Taylor; Milwaukee Journal Sentinel's Charles Gardner; The (Bergen) Record's Steve Popper; HoopsHype.com's Jorge Sierra and Raul Barrigon; USA TODAY Sports Weekly's Howard Megdal.

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