Heat's Kendrick Nunn Closing In On First-Team All-Rookie Selection

In a recent ESPN poll, Miami Heat guard Kendrick Nunn was third in voting for top rookie behind Ja Morant and Zion Williamson

If a recent ESPN poll is any indication, Miami Heat guard Kendrick Nunn will land a spot on the NBA's All-Rookie First Team.

Nunn received the third-most votes for Rookie of the Year in a poll among 70 league writers. He trailed Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant and New Orleans Pelicans forward Zion Williamson. Morant is expected to win the award while Williamson, the No. 1 pick, missed half of the season because of injury.

The undrafted Nunn would become the first Heat player to earn a place on the first team since Michael Beasley in 2008-09. Nunn has averaged 15.6 points, 3.4 assists and 2.7 rebounds in 62 starts. He is the second-leading rookie scorer behind Morant. Williamson is averaging 29.7 points but hasn't played enough games to qualify.

Earlier this season, Nunn became the first undrafted player to win Eastern Conference Rookie of the Month multiple times in one season. He was also chosen to play in the Rising Stars Challenge during NBA All-Star Weekend in February. Heat rookie Tyler Herro also received one third-place vote in the poll. 

Here's a look at the past Heat players to earn the honor:

2015-16: Justise Winslow, second team

2008-09: Michael Beasley, first team

2003-04: Dwyane Wade, first team

2003-04: Udonis Haslem, second team

2002-03: Caron Butler, first team

1991-92: Steve Smith, first team

1990-91: Willie Burton, second team

1989-90: Sherman Douglas, first team

1989-90: Glen Rice, second team

1988-89: Kevin Edwards, second team

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Shandel Richardson
SHANDEL RICHARDSON

Shandel has covered the NBA since 2010, with previous stops at The Athletic and South Florida Sun-Sentinel.  He has covered six NBA Finals, one Super Bowl, the NCAA basketball tournament. He has also been a beat writer for the Miami Hurricanes and contributed on every major beat in South Florida since 2003, including the Miami Dolphins and Miami Marlins. He can also be read in the Sportsbook Review for gambling coverage from around the NBA. A native of Bloomington, Illinois, Shandel attended Southern Illinois University in Carbondale. He's also worked for the St. Louis Post-Dispatch and Kansas City Star.  TWITTER: @ShandelRich EMAIL: shandelrich@gmail.com You can subscribe to our YouTube channel here Follow all of our Miami Heat coverage on Facebook here