Former Indiana basketball forward OG Anunoby earned a big time NBA honor on Tuesday. The current Toronto Raptors standout earned a spot on the NBA All-Defensive Second Team.
He was considered the fourth-best forward, earning 81 vote points.
Throughout the season, Anunoby was considered one of the best defenders in the league. He ended the regular season as the NBA-leader in steals per game (1.9) and total steals (128).
“I think it would mean a lot,” Anunoby said of the potential honor during his season-ending media availability. “I think it’d be very deserved. I think I’ve been a great defender for a while, so it’ll just be the validation.”
Joining Anunoby on the second team are Bam Adebayo (Miami Heat), Dillon Brooks (Memphis Grizzlies), Draymond Green (Golden State Warriors) and Derrick White (Boston Celtics).
Anunoby finished this season averaging 16.8 points, 5.0 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 1.9 steals and 0.7 blocks per game. The steals and blocks per game were both career-highs.
The Toronto Raptors finished the season 41-41 and lost to the Chicago Bulls in the NBA’s Play-in Tournament.
NBA Defensive Player of the Year Jaren Jackson Jr highlighted the First-Team selections. Joining him are Alex Caruso (Chicago Bulls), Jrue Holiday (Milwaukee Bucks), Brook Lopez (Milwaukee Bucks) and Evan Mobley (Cleveland Cavaliers).
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