Small Forward (SF) Rookies - 2011-2012 Fantasy Basketball - Top 3

2011-2012 Small Forward (SF) Rookies for the 2011-2012 Fantasy Basketball season are based on a standard single season redraft fantasy basketball leagues. Scoring setting include: FG%, FT%, 3PT, PTS, REBS, ASTS, STLS, TO. Each players fantasy basketball position eligibility is listed after their name, with sf meaning the player is eligible at small forward, and sf/pf meaning the player is eligible at both small forward and power forward, and sg/sf meaning the player is eligible at both shooting guard and small forward. For additional 2011-2012 Fantasy Basketball rankings and draft tools, check out my blog at: http://hawkfantasysports.wordpress.com/

Small Forward (SF) Rookies - Top 3

Derrick Williams - Min - sf/pf

The #2 overall pick in the 2011 NBA draft this season, Williams is an extremely talented forward who possesses excellent rebounding ability, as well as excellent scoring ability in the paint to go along with a solid mid-range jump shot. While there is little doubt that Williams is NBA ready as a rookie this season, he unfortunately will not be handed a golden opportunity for playing time in Minnesota to begin the 2011-2012 season. With Kevin Love and Michael Beasley already taking up the majority of the playing time at both forward spots in the Timberwolves lineup, Williams may be limited to only 20 minutes played per game to begin the season. However if more minutes eventually become available, Williams could easily put up stats worthy of being named the rookie of the year.

2010-2011 College Stats: 59.5 fg% -- 19.5 ppg -- 1.1 3pt -- 8.3 reb -- 1.1 ast -- 1.0 stl -- 0.7 blk

2011-2012 Projected Stats: 48 fg% -- 14.0 ppg -- 0.5 3pt -- 7.5 reb -- 1.0 ast -- 0.7 stl -- 0.5 blk

Kawhi Leonard - SA - sf

One card that can typically trump everything else in terms of whether a player can make an impact on a team or not, is playing time. O ften times, really good players are forced into sharing playing time with another really good player. Luckily though, Leonard may be on the right side of the playing time box in San Antonio this season. With aging and declining veteran Richard Jefferson the main competition at SF in the Spurs lineup to begin the 2011-2012 season, the young and athletic Leonard could be racking up plenty of playing time for the Spurs during his rookie season.

2010-2011 College Stats: 44.4 fg% -- 15.5 ppg -- 0.7 3pt -- 10.6 reb -- 2.5 ast -- 1.4 stl -- 0.6 blk

2011-2012 Projected Stats: 45 fg% -- 12.0 ppg -- 0.5 3pt -- 7.5 reb -- 2.0 ast -- 1.0 stl -- 0.5 blk

Chris Singleton - Was - sf

With the Wizards spending two early first round draft picks on forwards this year, the later drafted Singleton has a very realistic chance to outperform the higher drafted Jan Vesely in Washington as a rookie this season. Singleton is a three year college player with a proven track record as a defensive minded player. And any time a player can play defense, they have a chance a see significant playing time. Offering solid rebounding, shot blocking and steals ability to go along with some decent scoring potential, Singleton could be the early winner of playing time at SF in the Wizards lineup during the 2011-2012 season.

2010-2011 College Stats: 43.4 fg% -- 13.1 ppg -- 1.3 3pt -- 6.8 reb -- 1.2 ast -- 2.0 stl -- 1.5 blk

2011-2012 Projected Stats: 42 fg% -- 8.0 ppg -- 0.5 3pt -- 6.0 reb -- 1.0 ast -- 1.5 stl -- 1.0 blk