Even if this isn’t the best season for the Warriors overall, they still manage to surprise everyone with spectacular plays every now and then. Rookie Brandin Podziemski of the Warriors accomplished something in their Christmas Day loss to the Denver Nuggets that puts him in the same class as the greatest players from years past.

According to the Warriors’ official X account, Podziemski became one of just three rookies in the last fifteen years to score over a triple-double (13 points, 9 boards, 6 assists, and 5 steals) in a single NBA game. The other rookies to accomplish this feat were John Wall, DeMarcus Cousins, and Ben Simmons.

So far this season, the Santa Clara youngster has been an integral component of the Warriors’ rotation. Podziemski has managed to get playing time despite playing on a team that features a plethora of talented guards, including Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, and Chris Paul, while averaging 8.9 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 3.0 assists per game.

The Warriors’ Podziemski rises to prominence as a pivotal player

The “little things” he does are what get him playing time. There aren’t many guards in the NBA with the defensive spark and rebounding instincts that the 20-year-old brings to the table for Golden State. And Podziemski can score as well. The young guard makes an оffensive impact regardless of possession of the ball. Even though Podziemski can make his own shots, his ability to play off the ball with Golden State’s star players is a major part of his offense. Because of this, the youngster has started every game since Draymond Green’s suspension.

Brandin Podziemski isn’t exactly leading the pack as the Warriors’ ideal rookie, but he’s been outstanding so far this season.