As the conclusion of the season inches nearer with only 12 games remaining on the Philadelphia 76ers’ 2014-15 slate, the whispers of Nerlens Noel gaining ground as this year’s top rookie have grown into a legitimate argument, and it’s one that’s beginning to sway in favor of Philly’s box-top rim protector.

Noel, a lanky 6’11” product from Kentucky, should never have been in the Rookie of the Year conversation, at least not this season. After watching from the sidelines for the entirety of the 2013-14 campaign while he recovered from a torn ACL suffered in his lone season at Kentucky, Noel was able to do what very few rookies get to do in today’s era of basketball; become a student of the game and focus solely on development before ever registering a single minute on the hardwood.

But as a result, Noel was plunged into a two-horse race between Andrew Wiggins and Jabari Parker for the 2014-15 Rookie of the Year award and Noel’s noticeable offensive limitations deemed him the odd man out.

Parker went down with a torn ACL of his own early in the season, which left Wiggins in a rookie league all of his own. While Wiggins was consistently cracking 20 points in the scoring column and stealing the headlines, Noel was doing what he does best in Philly by triggering havoc defensively and taking baby steps forward in his offensive progression. But the gap between Noel and Wiggins for ROY was still more convincing than the Sixers’ rookie’s 7’4” wingspan.

And then came the All-Star Break, which served as the turning point for Noel’s confidence and transition to what has become a player that looks to be deserving of this season’s ROY award, via NBA.com:

“Around the time of the All-Star break, I really took the time to really just slow things down in my mind and instill in myself the confidence that I needed, to know that I can play at this level,” Noel told reporters. “I think I bring a lot of things to the table, not only just scoring but facilitating, blocking shots, steals… I think as the season comes down, and I continue to play as I’m playing, I should be somewhat in the conversation [for Rookie of the Year].”

Upon returning from the All-Star Break, Noel’s numbers have soared and The Eraser has placed himself among some special company as a result. Noel’s post-All-Star Break averages have nearly made him a walking double-double with 12.9 points and 9.5 rebounds per game.

He’s ramped up what were some already impressive defensive numbers with 1.7 blocks and 1.6 steals per game to 2.5 rejections and 2.4 acts of thievery in each outing over the last 17 games. These numbers not only make Noel the most impressive rookie in these categories – as he leads all rookies in rebounds, blocks and steals – but he’s placed himself in the top 10 in the entire NBA in nearly every major defensive statistical category.

Noel is seventh in the NBA across the board in total blocked shots at 126, blocks per game with 1.9 and total block percentage at 5.1. And not only is Noel far and away the best rookie in rim protection, but he’s the best of all rookies and big men league wide in steals.

Noel’s lengthy, agile nature and instinctive defensive nature have led to The Eraser’s quick hands making Noel 10th in the NBA in total steals with 119, ninth in the league in steals per game with 1.8 and sixth in steal percentage at 2.9. Additionally, Noel has the sixth best defensive rating at 98.6, he’s fifth best in defensive win shares with 3.8 and has the second best defensive box plus/minus rating at 4.6, behind only Rudy Gobert.

Not only is Noel the lone rookie with such accolades, but also, he’s the only player in the entire NBA to reside in the top 10 in each of the aforementioned defensive categories.

Yes, these numbers help reinforce the recent statement of why Noel should ultimately surpass Wiggins and become the second-straight Sixer to take home the Rookie of the Year hardware, but even more impressive is how they make a very solid case for Noel as the Defensive Player of the Year, as well.

Of course, the ROY is usually awarded to the guy who has shown the most offensive flare and poured the points on in bunches, as the NBA is an offensive league. But this excerpt from Grant Hughes of Bleacher Report — who finally placed Noel in the top overall spot in the NBA Rookie Rankings – points out just how selective the company Noel has placed himself among is:

“If we keep the parameters basic, Noel is among just four players averaging at least nine points, seven rebounds, one block and one steal this season, per Basketball-Reference.com. The other three are Anthony Davis, Draymond Green and DeMarcus Cousins. If we tighten things up by requiring at least 1.8 blocks and 1.8 steals, Noel is all alone this season. He’s the only guy in that category.”

To complement this, Noel had a career night last Friday against the New York Knicks, where he recorded 23 points, 14 rebounds, three blocks and five steals. The only other rookie in NBA history to record a 20-10-5-3 stat line was Shaquille O’Neal.

It may ultimately be too little too late for the Sixers rookie, as he’s only got 12 games left to showcase why he deserves to be crowned as the top newcomer in the NBA this season. But there’s two sides to the game in basketball and while Noel is steadily gaining ground as an offensive option, his defensive dominance has made the box-top sensation the most worthy of winning the 2014-15 Rookie of the Year.

Stats courtesy of Basketball-Reference.com