Malcolm Brogdon’s rookie campaign continues to impress as starter for the Bucks

When Malcolm Brogdon was drafted by the Milwaukee Bucks with the #36 overall pick in the second round of the 2016 NBA Draft, Virginia fans rejoiced. Brogdon never played with the same pizazz or received as much attention as one and done stars like LSU’s Ben Simmons (#1 overall pick), Duke’s Brandon Ingram (#2 overall), or Kentucky’s Jamal Murray (#7 overall), but was one of the most consistent players in both the ACC and the NCAA. As his rookie NBA season has progressed, Brogdon has won over teammates, media members, and fans around the league.

His stats are impressive. In 34 games, Brogdon is averaging 23.6 minutes per game (6th among rookies) and shooting 44.5% from the field. From three, Brogdon is shooting 43.1%, which ranks first among rookies averaging 15 minutes per game. He also leads rookies in assists per game with 3.8 and is fourth in points per game with 8.5. Both the NBA.com’s “Rookie Ladder” and CBS Sports’ Rookie Power Rankings have Brogdon as second behind the 76ers super rookie Joel Embiid (#3 overall pick in the 2014 NBA Draft who sat out two years with foot injuries).

So far, USA Today, Fox Sports, and Hashtag Basketball have all called Brogdon the “steal of the draft”, while The Ringer dubbed him the best “3-and-D Specialist (and Future President of the United States)” saying, “...you’ll see him consistently in the right position, fighting through on-ball and off-ball screens, communicating with his teammates, and jumping passing lanes.”

With an injury to Matthew Dellavedova, Bucks coach Jason Kidd promoted the President to the starting lineup.

In his second career start, Malcolm recorded a triple double, making him the first rookie to do that since Elfrid Payton in March of 2015. Brogdon’s 15 points, 12 assists, and 10 rebounds (or 11 depending where you look) helped the Bucks defeat the Bulls 116-96, making him the first Bucks player to record a triple double in 30 years (and only Bucks rookie to ever do it), and only the second Wahoo to ever record one in the NBA (Ralph Sampson).

(All UVA fans raise hands in unison)

That smile at the end warms my cold, cold heart. Malcolm’s teammates were aware of how close he was to reaching the triple double and made a conscious effort to score to bump him into double digit assists.

When you get the triple double, you get the ice bath.

Everyone was pretty excited.

In his four starts so far, Brogdon is averaging 12.5 points, 7.25 assists, and 5.5 rebounds per game and is shooting 40.4% from the field in an average of 35.5 minutes per game. Oh, and on top of that, he’s shot a perfect 9-for-9 from the free throw line, including securing the win for the Bucks over the Oklahoma City Thunder.

Personally, I can’t think of a better way for Uncle Malcolm to kill time until he reaches the minimum age to run for President. Keep doing your thing, Malc.