NBA Rookie of the Year race: Suns' Marquese Chriss moves into top three
USA TODAY Sports' top three candidates for the 2016-17 NBA Rookie of the Year award (from Sunday, March 19 through Sunday, March 26).
Also receiving votes: New York Knicks' Willy Hernangomez, Philadelphia 76ers' Joel Embiid, Sacramento Kings' Buddy Hield
► Power rankings: Celtics move past Cavs into top four
► MVP race: James Harden holds steady at the top
3. Marquese Chriss, Phoenix Suns
Season statistics: 8.9 points, 4.0 rebounds, 0.6 assists, 0.8 blocks, 44.5% shooting
The silver lining to all the losing means more minutes for players like Chriss, who has emerged as a key contributor for the Suns over the past month. In 14 games in March, Chriss is averaging 13.1 points (on 49.3% shooting), 5.9 rebounds and 1.6 blocks. He's also showing his ability to spread the floor, knocking down 1.5 three-pointers a game at a 39.6% clip. According to forward Alan Williams, Chriss, still only 19, has benefited from being "ultra aggressive."
“It’s great to see him in that role, asking for the ball in all the places on the court," Williams said recently, per The Arizona Republic. "It doesn’t matter who’s guarding him, he feels like he has the advantage.”
2. Malcolm Brogdon, Milwaukee Bucks
Season statistics: 10.2 points, 4.1 assists, 2.8 rebounds, 1.1 steals, 45.1% shooting
Brogdon, who put together three straight double-digit scoring performances this week, has been a key cog for the Bucks — who have been one of the NBA's hottest teams since March 1 (11-4) and are now tied for fifth in the Eastern Conference. His maturity and two-way capabilities make him a part of Milwaukee's plan for the future alongside Giannis Antetokounmpo, Khris Middleton and Jabari Parker.
1. Dario Saric, Philadelphia 76ers
Season statistics: 12.8 points, 6.4 rebounds, 2.2 assists, 0.7 steals, 41.4% shooting
Continuing to benefit from heavy minutes and a high usage rate, Saric poured in a career high 32 points (on 12-of-19 shooting) to go along with 10 rebounds in a win over the Bulls on Friday night. Since teammate and former Rookie of the Year frontrunner Joel Embiid played his last game before being shut down for the season with a knee injury, Saric is averaging a team-high 19.0 points (on 45% shooting) and 7.1 rebounds. During that span, he also ranks fourth among all rookies with 3.4 assists per game, fourth with 1.7 three-pointers and second with 31.3 minutes.
List of voters: USA TODAY Sports' Jeff Zillgitt, Sam Amick, Kevin Spain, AJ Neuharth-Keusch and Michael Singer; The Arizona Republic's Doug Haller; The (Memphis) Commercial Appeal's Ronald Tillery; Detroit Free Press' Vince Ellis; Indianapolis Star's Nate Taylor; The (Bergen) Record's Steve Popper; HoopsHype.com's Jorge Sierra and Raul Barrigon; USA TODAY Sports Weekly's Howard Megdal; For The Win's Adi Joseph.