When the Indiana Pacers selected TJ Leaf with the 18th pick in the 2017 NBA draft, the reactions were mixed and muddled. On one hand, nobody knew enough about Leaf to be disappointed. On the other hand, most fans wanted the team to select OG Annunoby.
Leaf’s rookie season was tough. He showed that he isn’t ready to be useful on the defensive end of the floor, and beyond his outside shot his offensive game wasn’t very diverse.
But thankfully, it was his rookie season, and he has time to grow. Youngsters need time to show they belong in the NBA, and Leaf is no exception.