Why Allonzo Trier deserved to be on the NBA All-Rookie Team

Former Arizona Wildcat and NBA Rookie Allonzo Trier was left off the NBA All-Rookies teams, but should have been based on his overall performance.

How was he left off? That is the question many fans, including current Arizona basketball guard Brandon Williams and Allonzo Trier himself are asking after the NBA All-Rookie 1st and 2nd teams were announced. In his rookie season Trier was one of the performers among all rookies, but was left off both teams. Makes no sense at all. The way he performed he deserved it!

Trier has had an incredible journey already in the NBA. He went from undrafted, to picking up a two-way contract with the New York Knicks to then signing a permanent contract with the team in December. That alone should earn him some votes. For someone to go undrafted to then perform at the level he did in the NBA says a lot. He put in the work and it paid off. Unfortunately not enough to earn himself a spot on the NBA All-Rookie Team.

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In his first season in the NBA, Trier averaged 10.9 points per game, 3.1 rebounds per game and 1.9 assists per game. He shot 44.8% from the field, 39.4% from three and 80.3% from the free throw line. Trier finished at No.8 among all rookies in points per game.

In all the other major categories, he finished between top 10-15 among all rookies. Had he started the season as a permanent member of the Knicks, Trier would have placed higher in each category. He only played  64 regular season games, but still was able to put up impressive stats.

Former teammate and No.1 pick Deandre Ayton made the NBA All-Rookie 1st team, even though somehow he received five votes for 2nd team. Say what!? How that is even possible is beyond me. No love for Arizona Wildcats players apparently.

One of Trier’s own teammate, Mitchell Robinson made 2nd team.  He only averaged 7.3 points per game compared to Trier’s 10.9. Do keep in mind that it’s just not points per game that matters, it’s everything that is taken into consideration by sportswriters and broadcasters who vote. Robinson did have a higher efficiency rating of 14.8 compared to Trier’s 9.5. That possibly made a difference in the votes, who knows?

What we do know is Trier put up some serious numbers in his rookie year. He scored in double digits in 30 games, including a season high of 31 points against and 10 rebounds in a four point loss to Houston. Living up to his social media handle ISO_ZO, he found many ways to score and got Madison Square Garden to their feet!

All season long, he was never intimidated and rose to the occasion many times for the Knicks. Looking back, many teams regretted the decision not to draft Allonzo Trier. That was indirectly motivated him to prove all doubters wrongs. Their loss though, the Knicks gain. At Zona Zealots, we couldnt be prouder for what Trier has done in just his first season in the NBA. Bear Down Zo!