Raptors at Sixers THH_5670.JPG

Terrence Ross of the Toronto Raptors fouls Michael Carter-Williams of the Sixers as he attempts to steal the ball in the first half at the Wells Fargo Center, Friday, Jan. 24, 2014. (Staff Photos by Tim Hawk/South Jersey Times)

(Tim Hawk)

PHILADELPHIA – Philadelphia 76ers rookie point guard Michael Carter-Williams is taking the NBA by storm.

It started right away in his NBA debut against the two-time defending champion Miami Heat when he had 22 points, 12 assists, nine steals and seven rebounds – becoming only the third player to reach those numbers in the same game.

Since then he’s done nothing but add to his accolades.

“I think his ceiling is extremely high and he has a lot of potential,” said Sixers head coach Brett Brown. “The thing that excites me the most is he understands all of the work and responsibility it’s going to take (to become great).”

“It’s very rare that you have a point guard with his length and size that can get things done the way he does,” added Toronto Raptors head coach Dwane Casey.

Coming into play against the Raptors Friday night, he averaged 17.5 points, 5.9 rebounds, 6.7 assists and 2.48 steals – all tops amongst rookies. He’s on pace to become the third person to lead all rookies in points, boards and steals and the only people to ever average those totals over their entire first campaign are Oscar Robertson, Magic Johnson and Steve Francis.

Even with all of those accolades, he still has some room to grow.

“My thing with him is to continue to challenge him to continue to emit the responsibility that an NBA point guard has, no matter what your age is,” said Brown. “And he responded, he’s been great.”

DESERVING OF CONSIDERATION?: The starters for this year's All-Star Game have been announced and now starts the fun part – discussing who deserves to fill out the roster.

Every coach is going to try and promote his own players. But when it comes to Thaddeus Young, Brown isn't alone in singing his praises.

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"I think you have to (consider Young for an all-star spot)," Brown said. "How about the job he did on Carmelo (Anthony) the other night and what he's done now from the 3-point line and what he did on the West Coast trip and he strung some really good stretches together and how he's carrying, along with Evan (Turner) and Spencer (Hawes), the youngest team in the history of the NBA … so I say how can you not."

“He plays at an all-star level … and I would say that you have to put Thaddeus Young’s name in there as far as talent is concerned,” echoed Casey.

DEDMON STAYING: The Sixers signed center Dewayne Dedmon to a second 10-day contract before Friday's game.

“He just has to keep doing what he’s doing,” Brown said when asked what Dedmon has to do to stay on the roster. “At 7-foot and 23-years old to have only started playing organized basketball when he was 18, you have to get excited about the upside of a 7-foot athlete. He just have to stay on track … with the minutes and the role we give him.”

During his first 10-day contract, Dedmon appeared in five games for the Sixers. He averaged four points, six rebounds and a block in 15 minutes per game.

Contact staff writer Wes Szafran at 856-845-9478 or wszafran@southjerseymedia.com