Mitchell Hansen

Web Editorial Associate

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Andrew Wiggins broke into the NBA in 2014 as one of the most anticipated prospects in that year’s NBA Draft.

Wiggins, who was drafted first overall by the Cleveland Cavaliers and later traded to the Minnesota Timberwolves, became one of focal points in the Wolves franchise at the age of 19.

Many had high expectations for Wiggins, while many still do. That’s a lot to ask of any player, of any skill level.

Well, Wiggins has lived up to all of that hype so far in his NBA career. And he’s finding his way into the history books already in year three.

In his third season, Wiggins is enjoying a career-best year. And if you saw videos of Wiggins working out last offseason, you understand why. The dude has worked extremely hard on his game.

As we sit at the All-Star break, Wiggins is averaging 23.2 points (18th in the NBA), 4.2 rebounds and 2.5 assists in 37.2 minutes per game. All career-highs.

Wiggins is also shooting the ball better than ever, especially from three. He’s shooting 35.5 percent from deep (up from 30 percent last year) and is shooting 46.3 percent from the field. Both are career-bests. Yes, there’s a trend going here.

In the 57 games this season leading up to the All-Star break, Wiggins has played some of his best basketball yet.

In his last 15 games, Wiggins is averaging 27.7 points, 3.9 rebounds, 2.9 assists and 1.3 steals per game, while shooting 50.5 percent from the field. Since his teammate Zach LaVine went down with a torn ACL on Feb. 3, Wiggins has stepped up, averaging 29.9 points, 3.9 rebounds, 2.8 assists and 1.6 steals in eight games. He has been shooting a lights out 52 percent from the field and 39.4 percent from three during that span.

To add to all of that, Wiggins has most recently been adding himself to some impressive lists in Wolves and NBA history.

On Feb. 14 against the Cavaliers, Wiggins passed Isaiah Rider (4,315) for eighth on the Wolves’ all-time scoring list. Wiggins currently has 4,384 points in 220 career games.

To put that into perspective a little bit, Kevin Garnett, who is the Wolves’ all-time leading scorer with 19,201 points in a Minnesota uniform, scored 3,999 points in his first 220 career games.

Also, Wiggins, who turns 22 years old on Feb. 23, trails only LeBron James (7,067), Kevin Durant (5,967) and Carmelo Anthony (5,405) on the list of the most points ever scored prior to his 22nd birthday.

Who are the players Wiggins is ahead of on that same list, you ask? Kobe Bryant (4,240), Dwight Howard (4,210), Tracy McGrady (4,187), Chris Bosh (3,773), Garnett (3,662), Kyrie Irving (4,623), Anthony Davis (3,558) and Shaquille O’Neal (3,500). Just a few notable names on that list.

Wiggins closed out play prior to the All-Star break playing arguably two of his most dominant games all season in a back-to-back against Cleveland and the Denver Nuggets.

With scoring 41 points against the Cavs and 40 points the next night against the Nuggets, Wiggins became the second Wolves player (Kevin Love, 2014) to ever score back-to-back 40-plus point games. Wiggins also joined James, Iverson and Kevin Durant as the only players under the age of 22 to record back-to-back 40-plus point games.

Already in year three, Wiggins has put himself on some impressive lists and has entered his name into categories with some of the top players in the game, as well as with some of the top players in Wolves history.

Many, including Wiggins himself, had hoped and expected this from the Toronto native when he came into the league in 2014. And everyone is getting a look it all so far in his young NBA career.

Here’s to 22, Mr. Wiggins. If the past three seasons are some form of foreshadowing, we can’t wait for what lies ahead.